[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 150 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41886-41889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20866]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
Notice is given that a new chapter, TAG for the Office of the
Deputy Commissioner, Policy (ODCP) is being issued. This statement also
amends parts S and T of the Statement of the Organization, Functions
and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security
Administration (SSA). Chapter TA covers the Office of the Deputy
Commissioner, Programs and Policy (ODCPP). Notice is given that this
office is being retitled as the Office of the Deputy Commissioner,
Disability and Income Security Programs (ODCDISP). Subchapter TAR, the
Office of Policy and Planning will be abolished and the functions split
between ODCP and ODCDISP. Subchapter TAN, the Office of Research,
Evaluation and Statistics will also be abolished within ODCPP and be
reestablished as a new office with the newly created Office of the
Deputy Commissioner, Policy. Subchapter TAJ, the Office of
International Policy is being retitled as the Office of International
Programs. Subchapter TAP, the Office of Program Benefits Policy is
being retitled as the Office of Program Benefits. Notice is further
given that Chapter S, the Social Security Administration opening
chapter will be amended to reflect these organizational changes.
The changes are as follow:
Section S.10 The Social Security Administration--(Organization):
Retitle:
I. ``The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Programs and Policy''
to ``The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income
Security Programs''.
Add:
K. The Office of the Actuary (TC).
L. The Office of Communications (TE).
M. The Office of Policy (TG).
Add new Chapter.
Chapter TG
Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Policy
TG.00 Mission
TG.10 Organization
TG.20 Functions
Section TG.00 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Policy--
(Mission):
The Deputy Commissioner, Policy is the principal advisor to the
Commissioner of Social Security on major policy issues and is
responsible for major activities in the areas of strategic policy
planning, policy research and evaluation, statistical programs, and
overall policy development and analysis. The Office of the Deputy
Commissioner, Policy (ODCP) serves as the Agency lead spokesperson in
presenting policy proposals and analysis within and outside the
Executive Branch. The Office directs the formulation of overall policy
for SSA and ensures the consistency of policy development and
implementation activities across all programs administered by SSA. The
Office broadly formulates, promulgates, and interprets programs,
objectives, and policy. The Office directs research, evaluation and
analysis, and development of demonstrations and studies supporting the
policy development of SSA. Provides recommendations on modification of
social insurance and income assistance programs administered by SSA.
Conducts the statistical programs of the Agency. The Office is involved
in developing legislative and regulatory specifications and analyses of
legislative and budgetary impacts. The Office works with the Department
of Treasury on issues of policy relating to the Federal Insurance
Contributions Act and the Self-Employment Contributions Act, including
such matters as definition of wages and implementation of law. It
directs formulation of Agency policy regarding related government
programs that affect SSA programs and/or operations and negotiates
related agreements with other agencies. It evaluates the effectiveness
of national policies in meeting both short and long-term program goals.
Section TG.10 The Office of the Deputy Commission, Policy--
(Organization):
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Policy, under the leadership
of the Deputy Commissioner, Policy, includes:
A. The Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TG).
B. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TG).
C. The Immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TGA).
D. The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics (TGB).
E. The Office of Disability and Income Assistance Policy (TGC).
F. The Office of Retirement Policy (TGE).
Section TG.20 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Policy--
(Functions):
A. The Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TG) is directly responsible to
the Commissioner for carrying out the ODCP mission and for providing
general supervision to the major components of ODCP.
B. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TG) assists the
Deputy Commissioner in carrying out his/her responsibilities and
performs other duties as the Deputy Commissioner may prescribe.
C. The Immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TGA)
provides the Deputy Commissioner with staff assistance on the full
range of his/her responsibilities.
D. The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics (TGB) develops
and conducts SSA's research and statistical programs. Topics of
research include evaluation of such things as income security, the
effects of Social Security and income assistance programs on the
economy, financing, and adequacy of cash benefits. This Office plans
and directs studies to evaluate the effects of proposed policy changes
on individuals, the economy, SSA programs and the interactions among
these programs, other tax and income-transfer programs, and economic,
social and demographic forces. Short and long-term research on the
disabled population, work incentives, assessment tools, and impact of
current and emerging medical technologies on SSA disability
[[Page 41887]]
financing and income assistance programs are conducted by the Agency
under the oversight of this Office. This Office is also responsible for
designing, implementing and assessing the results of models that test
proposed changes in policy. Establishes linkages of SSA data with data
from other statistical and record systems and develops and operates
models to analyze the impact of present programs and program
alternatives. Conducts broad analyses of major social and economic
trends and their impact on Social Security and income assistance
program policy.
E. The Office of Disability and Income Assistance Policy (TGC)
provides broad policy analysis and development in disability and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.This Office is responsible
for the development of disability and income assistance policy for the
Agency. This Office conducts broad analyses of eligibility and return
to work proposals. It formulates Agency policy regarding cross-cutting
programs or issues related to disability and/or income assistance
programs and works with other agencies, including the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), toward this end.
F. The Office of Retirement Policy (TGE) provides policy analysis
and policy development in retirement and survivors insurance programs.
This Office is responsible for the development of social insurance,
financing and economic policy for the Agency. Conducts broad analyses
of major social and economic trends and their impact on social
insurance policies.
Add new Subchapter.
Subchapter TGB
Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics
TGB.00 Mission
TGB.10 Organization
TGB.20 Functions
Section TGB.00 The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics--
(Mission):
The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics develops and
conducts SSA's research and statistical programs. Topics of research
include evaluation of such things as income security, the effects of
Social Security and income assistance programs on the economy,
financing, and adequacy of cash benefits. This Office plans and directs
studies to evaluate he effects of proposed policy changes on
individuals, the economy, SSA programs and the interactions among these
programs, other tax and income-transfer programs, and economic, social
and demographic forces. Short and long-term research on the disabled
population, work incentives, assessment tools, and impact of current
and emerging medical technologies on SSA disability financing and
income assistance programs are conducted by the Agency under the
oversight of this Office. This Office is also responsible for
designing, implementing and assessing the results of models that test
proposed changes in policy. Establishes linkages of SSA data with data
from other statistical and record systems and develops and operates
models to analyze the impact of present programs and program
alternatives. Conducts broad analyses of major social and economic
trends and their impact on Social Security and income assistance
program policy.
Section TGB.0 The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics.--
(Organization):
The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics under the
leadership of the Associate Commissioner for Research, Evaluation and
Statistics, includes:
A. The Associate Commissioner for Research, Evaluation and
Statistics (TGB).
B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for Research, Evaluation and
Statistics (TGB)/
C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner for Research,
Evaluation and Statistics (TGBA).
D. The Publications Staff (TGBB).
E. The Division of Program Analysis (TGBC).
F. The Division of Economic Research (TGBE).
G. The Division of Earnings Statistics and Analysis (TGBG).
H. The Division of Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance
Research Statistics (TGBH).
I. The Division of SSI Analysis/Management Statistical Support
(TGBJ).
J. The Disability Research Staff (TGBK).
Section TGB.20 The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics--
(Functions):
A. The Associate Commissioner for Research, Evaluation and
Statistics (TGB) is directly responsible to the Deputy Commissioner,
Policy for Carrying out ORES' mission, and providing general
supervision to the major components of ORES.
B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for Research, Evaluation and
Statistics (TGB) assists the Associate Commissioner in carrying out
his/her responsibilities and performs other duties the Associate
Commissioner may prescribe.
C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner for Research,
Evaluation and Statistics (TGBA) provides the Associate Commissioner
and Deputy Associate Commissioner with staff assistance on the full
range of their responsibilities and helps coordinate the activities of
ORES components.
D. The Publications Staff (TGBB).
1. Advises ORES on the development, organization and presentation
of research and statistical studies.
2. Publishes and distributes these studies to national and
international audiences.
3. Assesses informational needs of SSA staff, staff in other
Government agencies, the social science research community and the
public for data and findings from the ORES research program.
E. The Division of Program Analysis (TGBC).
1. Plans, designs and conducts surveys of program target groups and
performs policy-relevant research.
2. Analyzes the impact of proposed policy options, legislative
proposals and special high-priority issues and prepares briefing
materials for SSA administrators.
3. Plans, conducts and publishes the results of cross-national
research on social security programs worldwide.
F. The Division of Economic Research (TGBE).
1. Plans, directs and executes issue-oriented research to provide
information about relationships between the Social Security program,
the economy and other aspects of society.
2. Interprets changing demographic and economic trends as they
relate to the broad field of economic security and to overall economic
and social policy.
3. Studies such major areas as: Social Security financing, economic
impacts of Social Security, income maintenance, effect of Social
Security on lifetime income redistribution, alternative measures of
income adequacy, and labor market and retirement behavior.
G. The Division of Earnings Statistics and Analysis (TGBG).
1. Plans, coordinates and directs the preparation of statistical
and analytical data pertaining to earnings, employment and employer
classification. Analyzes these data with emphasis on demographic,
economic, social and program characteristics. These data are used to
support program and legislative planning and serve as important sources
for program evaluation, research and administrative information within
SSA, and for research by other Federal and State and local government
agencies, universities, and private research organizations.
[[Page 41888]]
2. Provides ORES and other SSA researchers with support in the
development of social science survey data linked with SSA
administrative record data.
H. The Division of Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance
Research Statistics (TGBH).
1. Plans, coordinates and directs the preparation of statistical
and analytical data pertaining to RSDI claims and benefits provisions
of Title II of the Social Security Act. Analyzes these data with
emphasis on demographic, economic, social and program characteristics.
These data are used to support program and legislative planning and
serve as important sources for program evaluation, research and
administrative information within SSA, and for research by other
Federal and State and local government agencies, universities and
private research organizations.
I. The Division of SSI Analysis/Management Statistical Support
(TGBJ).
1. Plans, coordinates and directs the preparation of statistical
and analytical data pertaining to the Supplemental Security Income
provisions of Title XVI of the Social Security Act. Analyzes these data
with emphasis on demographic, economic, social and program
characteristics. These data are used to support program and legislative
planning and serve as important sources for program evaluation,
research and administrative information within SSA and for research by
other Federal and State and local government agencies, universities and
private research organizations.
2. Provides management statistical services to SSA operating and
policy components, including such activities as the development of
general purpose and customized field office samples, development of
work sampling systems and quality assurance systems, and the design and
analysis of operational pilot studies. Provides support for the
development and use of mathematical models and statistical methods.
J. The Disability Research Staff (TGBK).
1. Plans, directs and implements a wide range of studies and
analyses, utilizing data from surveys and administrative records, on
the national disabled population, disability applicants and disability
beneficiaries.
2. Develops research in response to DI program issues.
3. Maintains and develops research surveys and administrative data
files used in the analysis of disability data.
Retitle:
Chapter TA, ``The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Programs and
Policy'' to ``The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and
Income Security Programs''. Change all references to ``The Office of
the Deputy Commissioner, Programs and Policy'' to ``The Office of the
Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs'' and all
references to ``ODCPP'' to ``ODCDISP'' throughout Chapter TA and all
its Subchapters.
Section TA.00 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability
and Income Security Programs--(Mission):
Amend to read as follows:
The Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs is
the principal advisor to the Commissioner of Social Security on program
policy issues and is involved in strategic planning, policy
development, and analysis of SSA program policy. The Office of the
Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs (ODCDISP)
directs the formulation of program policy for SSA. It directs and
manages the planning, development, issuance, and evaluation of
operational policies, standards, and instructions for the Retirement
and Survivors Insurance (RSI), Disability Insurance (DI), Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) programs, and other SSA programs. The Office
assists in achievement of consistency in program policy across programs
administered by SSA. The Office is involved in analyses of legislative
and regulatory specifications and budgetary impacts of legislation on
programs administered by SSA. The Office produces data on the programs
of the Agency. It is involved in the development of demonstrations and
studies that provide recommendations on program improvements. The
Office is responsible for the Agency's Regulatory Program. Oversees
Agency hearings and appeals activities. Provides budget and management
guidance for the disability claims activities as carried out by the
State Disability Determination Services (DDSs). Oversees the
collection, use and dissemination of both personal and non-personal
information to ensure consistency with Agency objectives, law and the
expectations of the American public. Develops and implements policies
and procedures and coordinates activities relating to the operation of
Social Security programs outside of the United States. Coordinates
programmatic response to court actions and requirements in civil
actions involving all Social Security administered programs.
Section TA.10 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability
and Income Security Programs--(Organization):
Abolish and delete subchapters for same components:
D. The Office of Policy and Planning (TAR).
H. The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics (TAN).
Retitle:
G. ``The Office of International Policy'' (TAJ) to ``The Office of
International Programs'' (TAJ).
I. ``The Office of Program Benefits Policy'' (TAP) to ``The Office
of Program Benefits'' (TAP).
Amend to read as follows:
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income
Security Programs under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner,
Disability and Income Security Programs includes:
A. The Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs
(TA).
B. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income
Security Programs (TA).
C. The Immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and
Income Security Programs (TAA).
D. The Office of Disability (TAE).
E. The Office of Hearings and Appeals (TAH).
F. The Office of International Programs (TAJ).
G. The Office of Program Benefits (TAP).
H. The Office of Program Support (TAS).
Section TA.20 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability
and Income Security Programs--(Functions):
Abolish in their entirety and delete subchapters for same
components:
D. The Office of Policy and Planning (TAR).
H. The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics (TAN).
Retitle:
G. ``The Office of International Policy'' (TAJ) to ``The Office of
International Programs'' (TAJ).
I. ``The Office of Program Benefits Policy'' (TAP) to ``The Office
of Program Benefits'' (TAP).
Amend to read as follows:
A. The Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs
(TA) is directly responsible to the Commissioner for carrying out the
ODCDISP mission and for providing general supervision to the major
components of ODCDISP.
B. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income
Security Programs (TA) assists the Deputy Commissioner in carrying out
his/her responsibilities and performs other duties as the Deputy
Commissioner may prescribe.
C. The Immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and
[[Page 41889]]
Income Security Programs (TAA) provides the Deputy Commissioner with
staff assistance on the full range of his/her responsibilities.
D. The Office of Disability (TAE) plans, develops, evaluates, and
issues operational and administrative appeals process regulations,
rulings, policies, standards, and instructions for use by State,
Federal, and private contractor providers which implement the
disability provisions of the Social Security Act. Provides operational
policy advice, technical support, management information, and
management direction to central office and field components in the
administration of the disability programs. Evaluates the effects of
proposed legislation and legislation pending before the Congress to
determine the operational impact on the disability programs. Provides
national budgeting and oversight of disability claims processing as
carried out by the State DDSs. Processes State agency workloads on a
temporary or transitional basis.
E. The Office of Hearings and Appeals (TAH) administrators the
nationwide hearings and appeals program for SSA. Holds hearings and
issues decisions as part of the SSA appeals process. Directs a
nationwide field organization that conducts impartial hearings and
makes decisions on appealed determinations involving Retirement,
Survivors, Disability, Health Insurance, Black Lung and Supplemental
Security Income benefits.
F. The Office of International Programs (TAJ) serves as SSA's focal
point for international program policy matters and for its
participation in the international Social Security community. Serves as
liaison to international agencies and associations that deal with
Social Security matters. Negotiates international Social Security
(totalization) agreements with foreign governments and develops
policies and procedures to implement the agreements. Develops and
implements policies and procedures relating to the operation of the
Social Security program outside the United States. Provides training
programs and technical consultation on Social Security and related
fields to Social Security officials and other experts outside the
United States.
G. The Office of Program Benefits (TAP) provides SSA-wide
leadership and direction to the development, coordination and
promulgation of procedures, operational policies, standards and
instructions for the Retirement, Survivors and Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) programs administered by the Agency. Develops and issues
guidelines for use by State and Federal organizations which implement
the SSI provisions. Develops agreements with State supplementation
programs, Medicaid eligibility, data exchange programs, food stamps and
fiscal reporting processes. Coordinates programmatic response to court
actions and requirements in civil actions involving all Social Security
administered programs. Directs the coordination and publication of
acquiescence rulings and instructions related to acquiescence rulings.
H. The Office of Program Support (TAS) provides leadership in
overseeing the Agency's system of programmatic instructions, notices to
the public and technical documents. Develops and maintains standards
governing the translating of policy decisions into operational
policies, procedures and notices. Responsible for the Agency's
Regulatory Program, including development of SSA's Regulatory Plan and
the Agency's portion of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations.
Oversees the Agency's implementation of policies that utilize
technologies in providing service to the public and provides program
management of such technological applications. Develops and interprets
SSA program policy governing requests for disclosure of information
from Agency records under the provisions of the Privacy Act and the
Freedom of Information Act. Designs, implements and maintains automated
information and communications systems ODISP-wide.
Retitle:
Subchapter TAJ, ``The Office of International Policy'' to ``The
Office of International Programs''. Change all references to ``The
Office of International Policy'' to ``The Office of International
Programs'' throughout Chapter TA and all its sub chapters.
Retitle:
Subchapter TAP, ``The Office of Program Benefits Policy'' to ``The
Office of Program Benefits''. Change all references to ``The Office of
Program Benefits Policy'' to ``The Office of Program Benefits'' and all
references to ``OPBP'' to ``OPB'' throughout Chapter TA and all its
subchapters.
Dated: July 17, 1998.
Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner of Social Security
[FR Doc. 98-20866 Filed 8-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P
