Social Security Publishes Revised Open Government Plan 2.0
Posted: September 13th, 2012
We've posted our Open Government Plan 2.0, which reflects our continuing commitment to the principles of openness and accountability. As a government agency that touches the lives of all Americans, our efforts to be more transparent about our work, increase participation in dialogues affecting our programs, and encourage collaboration with other organizations, all work towards Social Security’s mission of delivering services that meet the changing needs of the public.
Two years ago, we released our first Open Government Plan. Our refreshed plan includes additional input we received from Open Government stakeholders, the public and our employees; summarizes the progress we have made in implementing Open Government principles at our agency; and outlines additional commitments we expect to meet in the next two years.
We encourage you to read through our refreshed Open Government Plan, and share your ideas and comments with us at open.government@ssa.gov.
You may follow our progress on this plan and other Open Government activities on our website.
Ticket to Work: Free Support for People with a Disability Preparing to Work
Posted: August 15, 2012
Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people with disabilities who are preparing to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary and offers beneficiaries with disabilities access to employment.
To find out more about our Ticket to Work Program and how you can keep your disability benefits and medical coverage while you transition to the work place, watch our webinar, “The National Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE),” on August 22, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Register here for this free web event.
Referrals Help OIG Combat Social Security Fraud
Posted: August 8, 2012
Social Security's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in Social Security's programs and operations. OIG does that, in part, by taking appropriate action on allegations of fraud submitted by you, your clients, and other members of the public.
Of the 103,567 allegations of fraud the agency received in fiscal year 2011, roughly one-third came from Social Security employees, one-third came from public citizens, and the rest came from other government agencies, law enforcement, Congress, and other sources.
To assist the OIG in stopping Social Security fraud, visit http://oig.ssa.gov. While there, please check out the office's new blog as well as how to follow the OIG on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Congressional Testimony
Posted: July 31, 2012
On July 25, two Social Security executives testified before two different Congressional committees.
Carolyn Colvin, Deputy Commissioner of Social Security, appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources to discuss the Supplemental Security Income program. She presented what the agency has learned "through 40 years of experience in providing assistance under a complex, means-tested program, and how we have used technology and other innovative approaches to efficiently and effectively make sure that only eligible individuals receive the right amount of benefits at the right time." Watch the video or read the transcript.
LaTina Burse Greene, Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy, testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging about the importance of the Social Security retirement decision, and how it affects women. "When people ask us ‘what is the best age to start receiving retirement benefits?’ we tell them there is no 'best age' for everyone and that, ultimately, it is their choice. It is a personal decision that should be based on a number of factors, such as their current cash needs, health, and family longevity," Greene explained. Watch the video or read the transcript.
Stay up to date on all of Social Security's Congressional testimony.
Social Security and Kaiser Permanente Begin Partnership to Speed Up Disability Decisions
Unprecedented Agreement Will Cut Cost, Save Time and Improve Service
Posted: June 27, 2012
The Social Security Administration announced today that Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers, will electronically transmit complete medical records for its patients to the agency with the appropriate consent. Social Security requests about 70,000 patient files from Kaiser Permanente each year so this seamless new system will save time and money for both partners as well as allow Social Security to make faster and more accurate decisions.
Over the last few years, Social Security had entered into similar agreements with several smaller providers to exchange medical records electronically over the Nationwide Health Information Network. Today’s agreement marks the agency’s first move into using health information technology on a large-scale basis.
More information on Social Security’s use of health IT is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/hit.
