Social Security Administration Viewed More Favorably Than VA

From Pew Research Center. Click on image to view full size.

Limited Ability To File SSI Claims Online To Begin In December

    From a press release:

Today, the Social Security Administration announced a large step in a multi-year effort to simplify processes for people who are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) by starting to offer an online, streamlined application for some applicants starting in December. SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income and resources.

The initial step – known as iClaim expansion – aims to establish a fully online, simplified iClaim application that leverages user-tested, plain-language questions, prepopulated answers where possible, seamless step-by-step transitions, and more. The online application aims to reduce the time spent applying as well as the processing time for initial claim decisions. ...

The rollout of the iClaim expansion will generally be available to first-time applicants between 18 and almost 65 who never married and are concurrently applying for Social Security benefits and SSI. A goal of the second phase – currently targeted for late 2025 – is to expand this to all applicants. ...

    This rollout is quite limited -- concurrent claims for people who have never married. Why is it limited in those ways other than to hold down the number of claims filed in this manner?  It's like they want to say they're doing it even though they're only barely doing it.

Interview With The Commissioner

     Commissioner Martin O'Malley gave an interview to the Dallas Morning News. Nothing earth shattering but it's still interesting that he's talking about Social Security's long term funding problem and the President's budget in a much more open way than prior Commissioners. You can tell that he's working for the President rather than trying to be scrupulously above even the hint of politics. The whole "Independent Agency" claptrap is fading away. It never worked. A government agency that pays money to one American in five is inherently part of the political system.

    Next step, make Social Security a cabinet level department.

New Regs On Setting the Manner of Appearance of Parties and Witnesses at Hearings

     The Social Security Administration has posted final rules on Setting the Manner of Appearance of Parties and Witnesses at Hearings. These formalize the procedures already in place allowing claimants the option of either an in person, video or telephone hearing. 

    The pandemic changed the Social Security Administration in many ways. This may be the most enduring change.

SSI Underpayments

A Tweet From The Commissioner

Had a blast visiting our @SocialSecurity offices in Arlington, TX, Albuquerque, NM, and Phoenix, AZ, this week! Getting great feedback from employees + customers 

 

Thank God For Survivor Benefits

     From CNBC:

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.

In his speech, Walz credited a particular source of support for helping to get his family to where they are today — Social Security survivor benefits.

His father died of lung cancer when Walz was 19, leaving a “mountain of medical debt,” Walz said. Social Security benefits allowed his family, including his mother and younger brother, to “live with dignity,” he recently posted on social media.

“Thank God for Social Security survivor benefits,” Walz said during his Wednesday night speech. ...

Hearing Office Wait Time

    From the Commissioner:

Click to view full size

    By the way, what happened to Alaska?