Ironic, Isn't It?

     Social Security recently let slip the fact that they have a secret repository of precedents they use in deciding cases. Now, this comes out:

From: ^Internal Communications
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 1:01 PM
Subject: Help US Build SSA's Next Open Government Plan!
Importance: High

A Message To All SSA and DDS Employees

Subject: Help US Build SSA's Next Open Government Plan!

Since President Obama issued his Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government on his first day in office in 2009, Social Security has been steadfastly committed to ensuring that the work we do on behalf of the public is done openly and transparently. 

To achieve the goal of making our agency more open, we have published Open Government Plans every two years since 2010. We published our most recent Open Government Plan in June 2014. These plans lay out our strategies and commitments towards breaking down the barriers between our agency and the people we serve. To enrich and inform the actions of these past plans, we actively engaged employees, as well as stakeholders in the public and private sectors about their ideas and suggestions for strengthening our Open Government efforts. These engagements have been critical in creating our past plans, and will be even more critical as we craft the next one.

This June, SSA will be publishing our fourth Open Government Plan, and we encourage you to share your ideas on how we can improve our transparency, participation, and collaboration through our Open Government Plan 4.0 Feedback Process. Once there, you can review our last Open Government Plan and participate in the conversation.

Your input will be vital as we prepare this updated plan. By advancing efforts to operate more transparently, encourage internal and external collaboration, and engage the public in the work we do, we are will advance our mission of delivering Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public.

Ruby Burrell

Chief Strategic Officer

Performance Improvement Officer

What Data Do You Want To See?

     Social Security has a webpage where anyone can submit their ideas for data sets that the agency should make available online. Submit your own ideas. Here are the ideas I submitted:

• Productivity, backlog and allowance rates for each state DDS
• Percent of claimants with attorney or other representation
• EAJA fees paid
• Appeals Council productivity and backlog
• Percent of claimants who are rejecting video hearings
• Number of attorney-advisor decisions issued
• Number of on the record reversals issued by ALJs
• Processing time data for each payment centers
• Average speed of answer and agent busy rate for 800 number service
• Average speed of answer and agent busy rate for field office telephone lines

Open Government

In response to a Presidential initiative, Social Security has posted an Open Government page online. I see nothing new completely here but it is a useful compilation of resources made available by the agency.

Do note how agency expenditures as a percentage of the Social Security trust funds have declined dramatically over the decades.

What Data Do You Want Social Security To Release?

The White House has just released a new "Open Government Directive." Complying with this directive will require a major effort at all federal agencies, including Social Security. The entire directive is worth reading, but here are a couple of short excerpts that sets a very specific goal for each agency:

Within 45 days, each agency shall identify and publish online in an open format at least three high-value data sets ... These must be data sets not previously available online or in a downloadable format. ...

High-value information is information that can be used to increase agency accountability and responsiveness; improve public knowledge of the agency and its operations; further the core mission of the agency; create economic opportunity; or respond to need and demand as identified through public consultation.

What "high-value" data would you like for Social Security to release? Remember, Social Security is supposed to consult with the public about what is to be released. What you post here could actually make a difference.

Secret Law

From a recently issued section of Social Security's Program Operations Manual Series (POMS):

The RPC [Request for Program Consultation] website [http://ssahost.ba.ssa.gov/erpc/index.aspx] is supported by database management software that captures and maintains RPC data entered by the Disability Determination Services (DDS) and the Office of Disability Programs (ODP) users on the DDS RPC and ODP RPC Resolution templates.

The RPC database creates a repository of policy issues that can be used as a reference by all adjudicative components.

Of course, the link to the RPC website only works if you are on Social Security's network. We have a "repository" of Social Security policy decisions to be used by all parts of the Social Security Administration, but the public cannot access it. Does something sound odd about that?