I do not know what this means, perhaps nothing, but Social Security's Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law Manual, known as HALLEX has not been updated in more than a year. Actually, there was a trivial update in January 2007, but it was so minor that it is not even listed as an update. Perhaps, it is just a sign of a hiatus in policy development with Commissioner Barnhart heading out the door and Commissioner Astrue still trying to get up to speed.
Jun 20, 2007
Ripoff Artists
Take a look at this scam and this one. I will save some folks the money. Here is the same thing for free.
Jun 19, 2007
Another Field Office To Close
Social Security is closing its Slidell, Lousiana field office, according to the New Orleans Times Picayune.
Customer Service Report Card Coming For Social Security?
From Government Executive magazine:
Legislation that would prod government agencies to be more consumer-driven with an annual review was approved by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Tuesday.
The measure (H.R. 404), approved on a voice vote, would establish a report card system to gauge customer service performance at each agency. Federal agency leaders would be responsible for gathering data using surveys and focus groups, which would then be submitted to and evaluated by the Government Accountability Office.
The head of each federal agency would also have to appoint a customer service representative to implement standards and oversee progress, according to language in the bill.
Listings Extended
Today's Federal Register contains a notice from the Social Security Administration extending until July 1, 2008 the effective date of the Listings for eight body systems. Commissioner Astrue has indicated that he intends to work hard on the Listings, which may explain the short extension time.
We are still awaiting the major changes in the mental impairment Listings promised recently by Glenn Sklar.
We are still awaiting the major changes in the mental impairment Listings promised recently by Glenn Sklar.
Federal Times On Social Security Budget
The Federal Times is reporting on the letter from 43 senators urging a bigger budget for Social Security. The letter was published here yesterday.
Jun 18, 2007
See the letter above signed by 43 Senators urging that Social Security's operating budget by about $400 million above the President's recommendation. The following is the list of Senators who signed, with members of the Appropriations Committee highlighted:
| Akaka (D-HI) |
| Baucus (D-MT) |
| Bayh (D-IN) |
| Biden (D-DE) |
| Bingaman (D-NM) |
| Boxer (D-CA) |
| Brown (D-OH) |
| Cantwell (D-WA) |
| Cardin (D-MD) |
| Casey (D-PA) |
| Clinton (D-NY) |
| Coleman (R-MN) |
| Collins (R-ME) |
| Conrad (D-ND) |
| Dodd (D-CT) |
| Dole (R-NC) |
| Dorgan (D-ND) |
| Durbin (D-IL) |
| Enzi (R-WY) |
| Feingold (D-WI) |
| Hagel (R-NE) |
| Kennedy (D-MA) |
| Kerry (D-MA) |
| Kohl (D-WI) |
| Levin (D-MI) |
| Liberman (I-CT) |
| Lincoln (D-AR) |
| Menendez (D-NJ) |
| Mikulski (D-MD) |
| Nelson, Bill (D-FL) |
| Obama (D-IL) |
| Pryor (D-AR) |
| Reed (D-RI) |
| Rockefeller (D-WV) |
| Salazar (D-CO) |
| Schumer (D-NY) |
| Smith (R-OR) |
| Snowe (R-ME) |
| Stabenow (D-MI) |
| Tester (D-MT) |
| Voinovich (R-OH) |
| Whitehouse (D-RI) |
| Wyden (D-OR) |
Witness List For Senate Finance Committee Hearing
The Senate Finance Committee has announced the following witness list for its June 21 hearing on "Barriers to Work for Individuals Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits."
Sue Suter, Associate Commissioner for Employment Support Programs, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, MD
Allen Jensen, Senior Research Staff Scientist, Center for Health Services Research and Policy, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Dr. David C. Stapleton, Director, Cornell Center for Policy Research, Washington, DC
Jim Brown, SSDI Beneficiary, Independent Advocate, Billings, MT
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