Social Security Subcommittee Schedules Another Hearing

    The House Social Security Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on September 14 at 9:30 a.m. This is an excerpt from the press release announcing the hearing:

... [M]any questions have been raised about the current DI program. These include: is the concept of disability that prevailed at the start of the program in 1956 still appropriate today given advances in medicine, rehabilitation, and the workplace? Are there ways to better support individuals with disabilities to stay in the workplace? Can the decision-making process be strengthened so that, when appropriate, awards are made as early as possible and decisions on applications and appeals are made with greater accuracy and consistency?

Increasingly, experts are researching these questions and developing proposed solutions. Employers are also finding new ways to retain in the workforce those individuals with disabilities who want to work. The imminent fiscal challenge facing the DI program has made discussion of these issues both relevant and timely for the final hearing of this series.

Congressmen Fight To Save Field Office

     Iowa Congressmen are still trying to save the Clinton, Iowa Social Security field office, which is threatened with closure.

Social Security Subcommittee Schedules Hearing

Subcommittee Chair Sam Johnson

     The House Social Security Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing for September 12 on direct deposit of Social Security benefits.

Democratic Platform On Social Security

     During the Republican National Convention, I had quoted what the GOP platform said about Social Security. Here's what the Democratic platform says about Social Security:

We believe every American deserves a secure, healthy, and dignified retirement. America’s seniors have earned their Medicare and Social Security through a lifetime of hard work and personal responsibility. President Obama is committed to preserving that promise for this and future generations.

During their working years, Americans contribute to Social Security in exchange for a promise that they will receive an income in retirement. Unlike those in the other party, we will find a solution to protect Social Security for future generations. We will block Republican efforts to subject Americans’ guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market through privatization. We reject approaches that insist that cutting benefits is the only answer. President Obama will also make it easier for Americans to save on their own for retirement and prepare for unforeseen expenses by participating in retirement accounts at work. ...

In short, Democrats believe that Social Security and Medicare must be kept strong for seniors, people with disabilities, and future generations. Our opponents have shown a shocking willingness to gut these programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest, and we fundamentally reject that approach.

Ammunition Purchase Still Attracting Attention

     The story about Social Security's purchase of 174,000 rounds of ammunition isn't going away. This will fuel conspiracy theorists for years.

     Update: This story turned up in Jay Leno's monologue.  You first heard about this story here on August 20, 2009. Why did it take so long for everyone else to notice? How long will it take for people to notice the most plausible explanation for purchasing so much ammunition?

Another Field Office To Close

    The Jenkintown, PA Social Security field office is closing at the end of this month. The local Congresswoman isn't happy.

Processing Time Report

     Below is a report showing the average processing time at each of Social Security's hearing offices.This is from the newsletter of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR). Click on each page to view at full size.

     Despite a lot of work, there are massive differences between offices and regions. Why is it taking almost 100 days longer to get a hearing in the Kansas City region than in the Dallas region? Why is it taking 306 days on average to get a hearing in Greenville, SC but in Columbia, SC, only 103 miles away, it takes 406 days?

President Eisenhower Signing 1954 Legislation Creating Social Security Earnings Record Freeze For Disability

     Apparently, no photo exists of Eisenhower signing the 1956 act that added cash Disability Insurance Benefits to the Social Security Act. Eisenhower signed the 1956 bill with some reluctantance. It appears that he did not want a photograph taken.