Anomaly Requested For Social Security

     The federal fiscal year ends on September 30. Without Congressional action there will be a government shutdown. It's clear that individual appropriation bills will not be passed before the end of the month. A Continuing Resolution (CR), which permits the continuation of spending at the previous rate, will be needed. Every time there's a CR, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) submits a list of "anomalies" -- government functions that require something beyond the prior rate of spending. The OMB anomalies list this time includes a request that the Social Security Administration be funded at the full rate of the President's budget request for FY 2025 -- $15.4 billion instead of the $14.2 billion in the FY 2024 appropriation, warning that:

... Without the anomaly, SSA would be required to reduce funding for core information technology operations including SSA's network support. In addition, SSA would likely reduce the hours field offices are open to the public and would need to close field offices over time, extending wait times or seniors and individuals with disabilities. ...

    Government Executive calls the OMB request for Social Security an "unusual step."

    It's unlikely that Social Security will receive anything like what is requested. The House funding bill doesn't include an increase for Social Security. In fact, it cuts Social Security's appropriation below the current FY.

Benefits Come In After TV Station Gets Involved

     I guess this is a dog bites man story but a Virginia man has finally received his Social Security benefits after the intervention of a television station. 

    But Social Security has announced that it's stopped doing this sort of thing. No more expediting a case because of "adverse public relations potential." Of course, I didn't think they'd really stop. Did you? 

    I'm certainly not sorry the man finally got his benefits. He had been waiting far too long. It's just that he's not the only one. Getting media intervention is like winning the lottery. It has little to do with just how bad the delay is.

What's Going On? Oh, Not Much

     It's been a few days since I've posted anything. You wouldn't expect much Social Security news over the Labor Day weekend anyway but there's usually a little bit.

    I will speculate that there are two causes for the slowness. First, it's the election season. My observation over the years is that Social Security is always careful to avoid making even the slightest news during a Presidential election season. I've always wondered whether this is explicit or just instinctive at Social Security. Second, I think Martin O'Malley has picked all the low hanging fruit he could find. Maybe he's planning to leave the agency after the election one way or another or maybe there's nothing more of consequence he can do without Congressional approval and there's no way to get that now.

Labor Day Weekend Poll

 

online polls

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.