Social Security News

Sep 4, 2025

Hearing On Removing Barriers To Employment

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08), Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Ron Estes (KS-04), and Work & Welfare Subcommittee Chairman Darin LaHood (IL-16) announced today that the Subcommittees on Social Security and Work & Welfare will hold a joint hearing to discuss barriers to work and how policymakers can support opportunities for individuals with disabilities to establish, renew, or strengthen their connection to the workforce. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM in 1100 Longworth House Office Building.

Republican ideas for removing “barriers” have sometimes included time limited disability benefits. I think they regard the lack of compulsion to return to work as a “barrier.”I do not expect anything coming out of this hearing that would genuinely help anyone drawing benefits.

By the way, when are they going to reschedule that hearing with the Commissioner? Ever?

Sep 3, 2025

A Shakeup

From a press release:

Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano announced today his executive leadership team and organizational changes designed to strengthen accountability, improve performance, and modernize service delivery. …
Social Security Administration Executive Leadership Team:
Chief of Staff & Chief Risk Officer
Chad Poist
Chief Actuary
Karen Glenn
Chief Communications Officer
Nicholas Perrine
Chief of Disability Adjudication
Jay Ortis (Acting)
Chief of Field Operations
Andy Sriubas
Chief of Processing Centers
Mark Quinlan
Chief of Digital Services
Stephen Evangelista
Chief Human Capital Officer
Florence Felix-Lawson
Chief Information Officer (Core Business Functions)
Michael L. Russo
Chief Information Officer (Technology and Customer Products)
Aram Moghaddassi
Chief of Law, Policy, & Legislative Affairs
Mark Steffensen
Chief Financial Officer
Thomas Holland
Chief of Security and Resiliency
Jessica Taylor
To enhance SSA’s focus on operational excellence and foster a structure that brings leadership closer to the frontlines, the functions previously under Operations will be realigned into three distinct areas: Field Operations, Processing Center, and Digital Service.
SSA is also consolidating all Security functions into a single, integrated organization, which will be responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight of information security, physical and protective security, as well as personnel security and suitability programs. …

Call Wait Time Audit To Be Completed By End Of Year

From Axios:

The Social Security Administration — under pressure from Senate Democrats —is on track to finish an internal audit of the agency's call wait times by year's end, Axios has learned. …

Remember that Social Security’s Office of Inspector General is no longer independent. This could easily be a whitewash.

Approval Sought For Cardiovascular Listings Changes

The Social Security Administration has asked for White House approval of proposed changes to its cardiovascular listings. There’s no way of knowing what’s in the proposal.

Sep 2, 2025

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