Maintaining Service during the COVID-19 Pandemic
02-11-2021 · 2 MINUTE READ · Commissioner Broadcasts
A Message To All SSA and DDS Employees
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impose hardships especially on our country’s most vulnerable citizens. Of concern, we have seen reduced application filings for the Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs since the middle of last year. Many of these individuals, including those people with low-income, limited English proficiency, facing homelessness, or with mental illness, have historically relied on meeting with you face-to-face to get the help they need.
Over the past year, we have worked closely with national and local advocacy groups to improve service to vulnerable populations. We have also engaged Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as private industry, to raise public awareness of how to access our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The positive response demonstrates how much our programs matter. Agency resources, like the recently implemented “Information for People Helping Others” page at www.ssa.gov/thirdparty, provide the type of information the beneficiaries, and the advocate communities who help them, need, but we can do more.
I know our frontline employees witness the hardships our customers endure firsthand. Soon, I will share a number of initiatives with you that are designed to help us provide better service through enhanced outreach and communication with our most vulnerable populations.
We are determined to continue to keep you safe while ensuring we do not fail the people who depend on us. Additionally, these efforts align with President Biden’s executive order on supporting underserved communities. With your continued help and that of our partners, we can ensure that the people know about and apply for our programs.
Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to the public we serve.
Andrew Saul
Commissioner
I thought that is what the government wanted all along? Less applications? Less $$$ out the door? He should be happy. *shrug*. He should also use his given title, "ACTING Commissioner". Kinda rude to talk over a demotion.
ReplyDeleteThat is the point, he can't be demoted by executive fiat. He has a Senate confirmed 6 year term. Unless and until he should resign or a procedure invoked for removal for cause, he remains Commissioner.
ReplyDelete5:17 is right. It really is that simple. Anything else is a distraction.
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ReplyDeleteThis memo is too vague. Either tell us what the coming initiatives are, or don't put anything out at all.
And what happened to the priority that most SSA workers were supposed to have in getting vaccinated? That was mentioned in a prior Email to SSA employees, then nothing came of it.