Effects Of Budget Cuts

I am hearing that there is a near complete hiring freeze across Social Security for the remainder of the fiscal year but some limited overtime. There may be some limited hiring of Administrative Law Judges to replace those leaving.

If you are a Social Security employee, what are you hearing and seeing? What effects are you seeing where you are? What do you expect for the future?

New Ways To View Social Security News

Blogger is now offering five "dynamic views" for its public blogs, such as Social Security News. I don't quite see the point but maybe you will.

• Flipcard
• Mosaic
• Sidebar
• Snapshot
• Timeslide

By the way, I get asked from time to time why I don't allow blog feeds. The answer is that I do. I know it's possible because I've done it. If you have problems with the blog feed, you need to talk with Blogger, not me.

Big Time Fraud Alleged

From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

A North Oaks couple who moved here in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have wrongfully collected more than $430,000 in medical and disability benefits for their children since 2006, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.

James and Cynthia Hood have claimed those benefits -- meant for people with limited financial resources -- despite having a combined retirement portfolio of more than $1 million, more than a dozen bank accounts with a total of nearly $1 million in cash and two homes worth more than $1 million combined. Special Agent Jane Lewis, an investigator for the Social Security Administration, said in an affidavit that the Hoods' extensive assets would have made them ineligible for such aid.

OIDAP Meeting

Social Security's Occupational Information Development Advisory Panel (OIDAP) is holding a meeting today and tomorrow. On the schedule today and tomorrow are several speakers from the Department of Labor and the U.S. Census who will be describing how they have gone about collecting occupational information. The first day will end with this presentation:

Occupational/Medical/Vocational—Initial Claims Review Final Results
Deborah Harkin, Social Insurance Specialist
Office of Vocational Resources Development

Mark Trapani, Social Science Research Analyst
Office of Vocational Resources Development

I wonder what that is.

You can read the entire "public" agenda below.

OIDAP Public Agenda--May 2011

Fact Sheet On Possible COLA Changes

The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) has prepared a useful fact sheet on possible changes to Social Security's cost of living adjustment (COLA). This is a boring topic to be sure but a change in Social Security's COLA may be the most likely "reform" of Social Security because it would be a sneaky, confusing way to cut future Social Security benefits.

But I Thought You Wanted A Smaller Government

The Citrus County Commissioners have voted unanimously to protest the closing of Social Security's satellite office in Citrus, Florida.

By the way, Citrus County gave 57% of its votes in the last Presidential election to John McCain.

And None Too Soon

Today's Federal Register contains a notice that the Decision Review Board, the last element of former Commissioner Barnhart's failed plan to restructure disability determination at Social Security, is being officially dismantled effective June 13.

Commissioner's Message On Bin Laden Death

From: ^Commissioner Broadcast
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 11:41 AM
Cc: Torosky, Jamie
Subject: COMMISSIONER’S BROADCAST--05/02/11

A Message To All SSA And DDS Employees

Subject: The Death of Osama bin Laden

Our unified Nation has taken a major step toward peace with the death of Osama bin Laden. To those of you who serve and have served America not only through your work here but also with military service, I extend my thanks for your dedication to our country.

To those of you who lost family and loved ones on September 11, 2001, as I did, I hope last night’s news brings you some measure of comfort and closure.

Michael J. Astrue

Commissioner