NOSSCR has obtained a copy of the memorandum of understanding between the union representing Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and the Social Security Administration. I suppose I may as well post the link here.
I guess we all hope that a lot of what's in this agreement will turn out to be overkill because after the Omicron variant subsides almost everyone will have some degree of immunity to Covid and the number of Covid cases and their severity will die down to the point that the threat is similar to the threat posed by seasonal influenza. I'm really, really tired of Covid and so are you.
10 comments:
The MOA doesn't specifically speak to the future of telephone/video hearings, but it seems to suggest that these might continue to be options. Many of my remote clients and clients suffering from mental health conditions have really benefitted from the phone/video options.
That is going to be a disaster. The management at hearing offices are not at all equipped to handle COVID19 protocols and many of them could care less about the health and welfare of those, including ALJ's, who work at hearing offices. The hearing offices, including the hearing rooms, are poorly ventilated and will allow COVID19 to be readily transmitted. This is a dumb idea.
This is all nice and dandy but the problem for most Claimants, and for most of the country, are the Field Offices remaining closed and the huge delays in processing applications and reconsiderations. Our clients have mostly been OK with the phone and video hearings - the problems there are mostly all of the changes in the Listings and Rulings, and the general negativity of the current ALJ corp. Let's see an MOU with the field offices and DDS staff and the processing centers.
Recons and original app processing can be worked at home however there no time to do it. Management is more concerned with a 90% answer rate for the General Information line at the FO's. One we're back in the office staff will be dedicated to in office appts and intaking docs. Your old claims won't be worked, new claims will be prioritized, and you'll complain about that. I'll whisper I told you so as I commute to work and get infected.
Don't worry, the FO's got an email saying an agreement had been reached regarding re-entry but were not given a specific date. They have to be given 30 days notice when the date is determined, so it's coming.
As an aside, if the offices do not open back up as they were pre-pandemic...does anyone think people will be satisfied? Personally, I think knowing you could get an appointment but can't because they're all taken will be much more frustrating to the general public especially if walk-in traffic is not allowed.
PC employees received an EMAIL this morning from acting commissioner Kijakazi
An agreement has been reached with the 3 unions on reentry, and details will soon be shared. Not sure why they sent this out before they can provide any other info.
@6:31AM In what world is there a "90% answer rate for the General Information line at the FO's"? My personal experience is more like a 25% answer rate. I spend a good hour of each day trying to get thru to field offices on varying issues for clients. (I have been sitting on hold for the past 11 minutes waiting for someone to pick up as I write this) Typically takes several days for a given office to answer a call and then my concern generally leads to me having to a leave a voice mail for someone who never calls me back. Lately, calls to the management lines have even been going unanswered on a routine basis.
According to the memo, "With the exception of an adult accompanying a child to a hearing for the purpose of obtaining child disability benefits or individuals requiring special assistance or accommodations, no one other than a claimant scheduled for an in-person hearing and the claimant’s representative will be allowed to enter the hearing room."
Does this mean that we will not be allowed to have witnesses testify at in-person hearings? Doesn't seem like this was well thought out.
@10:01. 90% is the goal but that's impossible and never met. Management was told that goal and they throw resources at it, ie CRs who then don't have time to process the proofs that where sent in. Once the FOs are opened up there will be focus on that, which means a lower answer rate and still no one working on the docs.
@11:30 There is no right to in-person witness testimony. Any such testimony could be taken by alternative means.
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