... [T]he Trump administration is planning a regulation that would essentially redefine full-time work as 30 hours per week, instead of the usual 40, for purposes of determining whether someone is disabled. Fewer people would likely win benefits as a result.
The tighter eligibility standard, which has not been previously reported, is part of a draft rule that, if finalized, would bring sweeping changes to the Social Security Disability Insurance program. It would follow multiple other efforts by the Trump administration to cut social programs that help people afford food, health care and housing. ...
The full draft rule, which has not been formally released yet, is the culmination of years of work by the Social Security Administration to update its data on the U.S. labor market ― and years of grumbling by Republicans and right-wing think tanks about how disability benefits coddle people who supposedly could get jobs. ...
Actuaries in the Social Security Administration are currently reviewing the draft rule to see how many beneficiaries would be affected and how much money the government might save by denying benefits, according to a source. ...
WASHINGTON — March 15, 2020 — The coronavirus pandemic has caused the Association of Administrative Law Judges (AALJ) to make the unprecedented demand that the Social Security Administration immediately cancel all hearings in its 163 offices across the U.S. for the next two weeks, and longer if needed, in order to protect Americans. AALJ’s move follows what it sees as weeks of poor decision-making by SSA’s leadership. To date, SSA hasn’t enacted AALJ’s common sense request to have claimants asked if they would like a telephone hearing before they arrive for their hearings or if COVID-19 symptoms are exhibited in the hearing room. AALJ leaders, who represent approximately 1,300 judges who preside in Social Security disability hearings, note that municipal, state and federal courts have canceled their proceedings and the lack of similar action in disability hearings is confounding. AALJ President Judge Melissa McIntosh says, “We can’t understand why Social Security officials are blatantly ignoring public health guidance. Let’s always remember that many claimants in our hearing rooms and offices are senior citizens and report they have compromised immunity; they could be particularly at risk for the coronavirus. As administrative law judges, we take the health and safety of the claimants, representatives and our colleagues very seriously. Because of the Agency’s failed response, the only way to ensure the safety of the American public is to cancel hearings for a limited period of time.” The latest details about coronavirus are available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
... Social Security Administration workers in Casa Grande, Ariz., wonder if they have been infected with the coronavirus. On Monday, a colleague who returned from a cruise over the weekend reported to work “hacking and coughing” but remained on the job throughout the workday, said Ralph DeJulius, national president for the union that represents SSA workers.
On Tuesday, the worker called in sick. Coronavirus was suspected.
Panic spread. Information about the worker’s health, and what the rest of the office staff should do in response, has not been shared with the sick workers’ colleagues, DeJulius said. ...
From: ^Human Resources Internal CommunicationsNote that this lists only pregnancy and having an underlying health condition as reasons for allowing teleworking but being over 60 alone is a major risk factor for Covid-19 mortality and morbidity. Note also that hearing offices and field offices are exempted from telework. What the hell is the matter with Andrew Saul? This isn't doing what the Office of Management and Budget is telling agencies to do and that's probably not enough.
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2020 2:37 PM
Subject: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Update - March 13, 2020
Importance: High
A Message to All SSA Employees
Subject:
We are sharing an update on the agency’s approach to the evolving 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. We have made updates to the Medical Office COVID-19 FAQs page. To ensure the safety of our employees, we are taking several key actions, effective immediately, as described below.
· The agency is making a Work at Home Quarantine (WAHQ) option available to employees who cannot report to the office due to quarantine restrictions, and for parents whose children have experienced a school closure related to COVID-19. Please review the Medical Office COVID-19 FAQs and consult your supervisor for additional information if one of these situations applies to you.
· Employees who are high risk for complications from COVID-19 (e.g., pregnant or with underlying health conditions) may request to work at home under WAHQ. Please talk with your supervisor about your need.
· The agency is reverting to previous (pre-March) telework schedules for all components except field components of the Office of Operations and Office of Hearings Operations. The Office of Operations and Office of Hearings Operations will designate field telework levels based on geographic conditions and public service needs. With this rapidly evolving situation, we continue to assess where additional telework may be appropriate.
In certain locations, office closures may be necessary. You will be notified if you are in one of these affected offices. The agency may order employees to work from home with or without a telework agreement when offices are closed. In this case, employee’s homes temporarily become their duty stations under evacuation rules.
The CDC has also updated the list of high-risk countries for international travel. If you are returning from one of these countries, you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or suspect you have been exposed due to close contact with an affected individual (e.g., a family member, someone living in your home), please stay home and consult your supervisor for further instructions.
As a reminder, the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to practice frequent hand washing and/or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoid close contact with people who are ill, and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue to prevent the spread of illness.
We will update you as we receive additional information. Please direct questions to your supervisor.
... All Federal Executive Branch departments and agencies are encouraged to maximize telework flexibilities to eligible workers within those populations that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified as being at higher risk for serious complications from COVID-19 (CDC High Risk Complications) and to CDC-identified special populations including pregnant women (CDC Special Populations). These CDC-identified populations include older adults and individuals who have chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease or compromised immune systems. Agencies do not need to require certification by a medical professional, and may accept self-identification by employees that they are in one of these populations. Additionally, agencies are encouraged to consult with local public health officials and the CDC about whether to extend telework flexibilities more broadly to all eligible teleworkers in areas in which either such local officials or the CDC have determined there is community spread. Agencies are also encouraged to extend telework flexibilities more broadly to accommodate state and local responses to the outbreak, including, but not limited to, school closures....This was sent out yesterday. As far as I know, Social Security is still working on its plan.
