I've been reading the blog since I first found it about 20 years ago, posted occasionally when I felt I had something to add, but not so much since I retired from SSA a few years ago. I've always enjoyed reading here, and learned much along the way.
The complaints and problems posted here over the years, if anything, have been consistent: long processing times for disability claims, long wait times on the phones, and embarrassingly outdated and clunky computer systems. Those are just three of biggest ones. The complete list of problems at SSA is much longer.
Despite the complaints there have been improvements, but significant and lasting change remained illusive. Almost all recommended solutions predictably centered around the plea: "Just give us more money and staff, and everything will get better." I've been there in times when more money was given and more staff added and the promised improvements did not materialize.
The American public seems to have decided that simply throwing more money or staff at problems is not a solution. I honestly don't know what the answer is to fix a broken SSA, but I do know that doing more of the same will just get us more of the same.
Social Security Announces Options to its Workforce
The following message was sent to agency employees today:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will soon implement agency-wide organizational restructuring that will include significant workforce reductions. Through these massive reorganizations, offices that perform functions not mandated by statute may be prioritized for reduction-in-force actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions, directed reassignments, and reductions in staffing. The agency may reassign employees from non-mission critical positions to mission critical direct service positions (e.g., field offices, teleservice centers, processing centers). Reassignments may be involuntary and may require retraining for new workloads.
AC attorney here. Thanks for the info. It is being shared among many worried colleagues. Got a lot to say and disclose about the AC once I come back to private practice, just waiting for the right time. Which appears to be quickly approaching.
Charles, as an SSA employee, I'll say that your blog is the most consistent and reliable external source of information and solace for many of us. I've heard many executives in the agency reference things they've seen here and even joke about trying to share information with us before you do. I may not always agree with you, but I appreciate your keeping this going for this important community.
How has nobody challenged Leland’s appointment to the ACOSS yet as a violation of the appointments clause. I know this is pending as an issue along with a slew of other issues in a case in Maryland Federal Court but how has this not been challenged as a stand alone issue and a TRO for all these changes sought? Service is going to be impossible after all this.
Appeals council dissolved only recourse for claimants will be District Court. Employees intimated and threatened despite dedication to the pubic. The people with knowledge are leaving in masses. Congress apparently is not one of the three branches of government. FDRs new deal is being undone and so is the civil rights act. I have been a public servant all my life disabled Veteran and have placed country before self. In my humble opinion this dismantling of the Federal government is a way to privatize the work so the billionaires’ can make more money by contracting services. It is a terrible time to be disabled, old, weak, or poor.
More money and people haven't been enough because we haven't gotten enough money nor people. The system and it's complexities are massive in scale. It is disingenuous to criticize past attempts when we never got a fair chance in the first place.
@ 6:52 "The American public seems to have decided..." Not quite. A minority of voters voted for Trump, and even of those, we don't know how many were believing Trump's attempts, until after the votes were in, to distance himself from Vought and Project 2025.
The AC is now part of OHO. Do I think people are getting that confused with the AC being dissolved. While AC employees may be let go, I think people are reading too much into it and not realizing they are now part of OHO
It's statutory so changing would require legislation. Would people within Social Security like to end direct payments? I'm sure. But then what? All other insurance companies pay settlements in checks directly to legal representatives. Are you in favor of that? If that happens, will representatives still have to get fee approval? Why, if the Government has nothing to do with the payment of fees? Check back to the 1960's when direct payment started and maybe understand why it exists in the first place.
"simply throwing more money or staff at problems is not a solution"
As Charles has posted on numerous occasions, staffing is down substantially despite growing numbers of beneficiaries and SSA is continually underfunded. But thanks for helping perpetuate this nonsense talking point.
26 comments:
Reps too. The gravy train is over..direct payment of fees could end within a year and sanctions with teeth may be coming.
What gravy train? The agency is at a 50 year staffing low despite the population growing by 2/3 in the same period.
There is no other forum for real news about SSA. Tag - Your It.
@3:24 Gravy train? Your lack of knowledge and unqualified confidence is astounding. You must work for DOGE.
I've been reading the blog since I first found it about 20 years ago, posted occasionally when I felt I had something to add, but not so much since I retired from SSA a few years ago. I've always enjoyed reading here, and learned much along the way.
The complaints and problems posted here over the years, if anything, have been consistent: long processing times for disability claims, long wait times on the phones, and embarrassingly outdated and clunky computer systems. Those are just three of biggest ones. The complete list of problems at SSA is much longer.
Despite the complaints there have been improvements, but significant and lasting change remained illusive. Almost all recommended solutions predictably centered around the plea: "Just give us more money and staff, and everything will get better." I've been there in times when more money was given and more staff added and the promised improvements did not materialize.
The American public seems to have decided that simply throwing more money or staff at problems is not a solution. I honestly don't know what the answer is to fix a broken SSA, but I do know that doing more of the same will just get us more of the same.
Social Security Announces Options to its Workforce
The following message was sent to agency employees today:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will soon implement agency-wide organizational restructuring that will include significant workforce reductions. Through these massive reorganizations, offices that perform functions not mandated by statute may be prioritized for reduction-in-force actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions, directed reassignments, and reductions in staffing. The agency may reassign employees from non-mission critical positions to mission critical direct service positions (e.g., field offices, teleservice centers, processing centers). Reassignments may be involuntary and may require retraining for new workloads.
AC attorney here. Thanks for the info. It is being shared among many worried colleagues. Got a lot to say and disclose about the AC once I come back to private practice, just waiting for the right time. Which appears to be quickly approaching.
https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-02-27
Charles, as an SSA employee, I'll say that your blog is the most consistent and reliable external source of information and solace for many of us. I've heard many executives in the agency reference things they've seen here and even joke about trying to share information with us before you do. I may not always agree with you, but I appreciate your keeping this going for this important community.
Is Charles at happy hour AGAIN?! He's missing one of the biggest news stories in modern SSA history with the e-mail sent out at 6 p.m. EST.
https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-02-27
How has nobody challenged Leland’s appointment to the ACOSS yet as a violation of the appointments clause. I know this is pending as an issue along with a slew of other issues in a case in Maryland Federal Court but how has this not been challenged as a stand alone issue and a TRO for all these changes sought? Service is going to be impossible after all this.
Appeals council dissolved only recourse for claimants will be District Court. Employees intimated and threatened despite dedication to the pubic. The people with knowledge are leaving in masses. Congress apparently is not one of the three branches of government. FDRs new deal is being undone and so is the civil rights act. I have been a public servant all my life disabled Veteran and have placed country before self. In my humble opinion this dismantling of the Federal government is a way to privatize the work so the billionaires’ can make more money by contracting services. It is a terrible time to be disabled, old, weak, or poor.
Will the reorg affect the AC?
Where are you getting this info that the AC will be dissolved?
More money and people haven't been enough because we haven't gotten enough money nor people. The system and it's complexities are massive in scale. It is disingenuous to criticize past attempts when we never got a fair chance in the first place.
100%
The AC was moved to OHO last week along with OQR. OARO was dissolved.
@ 6:52 "The American public seems to have decided..." Not quite. A minority of voters voted for Trump, and even of those, we don't know how many were believing Trump's attempts, until after the votes were in, to distance himself from Vought and Project 2025.
at least things work, albeit slowly. sounds like cutting half the staff might just collapse and already shaky system
The AC is now part of OHO. Do I think people are getting that confused with the AC being dissolved. While AC employees may be let go, I think people are reading too much into it and not realizing they are now part of OHO
It's statutory so changing would require legislation. Would people within Social Security like to end direct payments? I'm sure. But then what? All other insurance companies pay settlements in checks directly to legal representatives. Are you in favor of that? If that happens, will representatives still have to get fee approval? Why, if the Government has nothing to do with the payment of fees? Check back to the 1960's when direct payment started and maybe understand why it exists in the first place.
Who do you think would be let go from the AC and does that seem likely?
As a long-time attorney for claimants, I totally agree.
"simply throwing more money or staff at problems is not a solution"
As Charles has posted on numerous occasions, staffing is down substantially despite growing numbers of beneficiaries and SSA is continually underfunded. But thanks for helping perpetuate this nonsense talking point.
Pending hearing requests are at about 300,000, down from close to a million. No improvement at the hearing level with extra staff?
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