What Does "Limited Services" Mean?

Subject: COMMISSIONER'S BROADCAST--04/06/11

A Message To All SSA Employees

Subject: An Important Message From Commissioner Astrue

Throughout the discussions about funding for the rest of the fiscal year, the President has made it clear that he does not want a government shutdown, and the Administration is ready and willing to work day and night to find a solution with which Congress can agree. Given the realities of the calendar, however, prudent management requires that I plan for an orderly shutdown should Congress fail to pass a funding bill.

The President and I know that the uncertainty of the current situation puts Federal employees in a difficult position, and are very much aware that a shutdown would impose hardships on many employees as well as the groups and individuals we serve. As we approach the expiration of the current CR, our leadership team will provide you with updated information as soon as it becomes available. For now, I want to provide you with information on how the potential shutdown -- should it occur -- will affect Federal employees.

As soon as funding lapses, Federal agencies will not be permitted to incur further financial obligations performing activities funded by annual appropriations, except those related to the orderly suspension of operations or performance of excepted activities. This means that some employees will be furloughed and unable to work. Our contingency planning for the potential funding lapse includes determining which agency functions are excepted from a furlough. We plan to continue services associated with the White House's statement that Social Security checks will continue to go out. Our field and hearing offices, teleservice and program service centers, and State disability determination services will provide limited services if there is a shutdown. Should it become necessary to implement our contingency plans, you will receive details from your supervisor no later than Friday, April 8th regarding your furlough status.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has created a document to address some of the questions that I know must be on your mind. The document can be accessed at www.opm.gov/furlough2011. OPM will provide additional pertinent information for Federal employees as the week progresses. We will do our best to provide clear information about the status of events as the week progresses.

I know how difficult it is for you to handle the uncertainty of what may happen next week, and I appreciate your determination to continue serving America even during this tough time.

Michael J. Astrue
Commissioner

AFGE Shutdown Guide

The American Federation of Government Employees, a union that represents many federal employees has put out a government shutdown guide which is probably worth reading if you are a federal employee.

Budget Protest In Greece

From WHEC in Rochester, NY:

Local Social Security Office workers will be protesting President Obama's budget proposal on Wednesday.

The workers are concerned that the proposed federal budget and potential government shut down will cut social security jobs.

Thousands of people are expected to participate in the protest, which starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Social Security Office on West Ridge Road in Greece [a town in New York].

Shutdown Looms

There are reports that House Speaker John Boehner informed those present at the White House meeting today that he would not support any deal unless he could get enough support to pass it solely among House Republicans. The Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, has made the same accusation. In effect, this gives the Tea Party group a veto on any budget deal. If true, this almost guarantees a government shutdown. Indeed, this almost guarantees a long shutdown.

Bad News For Rural America

I have heard an unconfirmed report that Social Security's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) has ordered a halt to hearings at temporary remote locations. As an example, an ODAR office might have an area located 100 miles away but the area does not have enough population that Social Security has established a permanent video site. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) goes to the area in person once every two or three months to hold hearings. Apparently, because of budget problems, this is being suspended.

If the report I have heard is accurate, this is bad news for Social Security disability claimants who live in remote areas. They are going to have to travel long distances to their hearings. I suspect that a lot of the people living in sparsely populated areas have Republicans representing them in Congress.

Going Into Overtime

From the Associated Press:

President Barack Obama, showing growing impatience, said Tuesday it would be "inexcusable" for lawmakers to fail to fund the government through the end of the year and cause a shutdown.

"We are closer than we have ever been to an agreement. There is no reason why we should not get an agreement," Obama said following a White House meeting with congressional leaders.

Appearing before reporters at the White House, Obama said that House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were to meet on Capitol Hill later Tuesday to continue negotiations. If that meeting does not produce an agreement, Obama said he would summon the pair back to the White House Wednesday. ...

Obama said he would only accept another short-term funding extension, of two or three days, in order to get a longer-term deal through Congress. But he ruled out a longer extension to allow negotiations to continue.

No Deal

From the Associated Press:

House Speaker John Boehner said Tuesday that private talks with President Barack Obama failed to produce a deal to avoid a government shutdown and warned that the House Republicans "will not be put in a box" of accepting options they refuse to endorse.

Short of an agreement to cover the rest of the budget year, Boehner said House Republicans want a stopgap bill that would keep the government running for one more week and slash another $12 billion in spending. The White House has shown no interest in that approach.

Friday is the deadline to avoid a shutdown. Boehner's account of the meeting between Obama and top lawmakers of both parties, released in a statement from his office, did nothing to suggest the White House and Congress were closer to reaching a deal.

Levasseur Wins Bracket Challenge

The Social Security News NCAA tournament bracket challenge for 2011 is history. Scott Levasseur won. Congratulations.