[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49832-49833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23807]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegation of Authority
This statement amends Part S of the Statement of the Organization,
Functions and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security
Administration (SSA). Chapter S2 covers the Deputy Commissioner,
Operations (DCO). Notice is hereby given that Chapter S2, The Office of
the Deputy Commissioner, Operations and Subchapter S2D, the Office of
the Regional Commissioner, and Subchapter S2R, Office of Central
Operations are being amended to reflect responsibility for assisting
the Office of Hearings and Appeals in providing support in processing
backlogged cases. This revision also reflects responsibility for
assisting State Disability Determination Services in providing support
regarding disability claims backlogs. The changes are as follows:
Section S2.00 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Operations--
(Mission)
Amend as follows:
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Operations (ODCO) directs
and manages central office and geographically dispersed operations
installations. It oversees regional operating program, technical,
assessment and program management activities. It directs studies and
actions to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of its
components. It promotes systems and operational integration and defines
user needs in the strategic planning process. It determines automation
support needs for Operations components. This Office defines user
concerns in the development of operational and programmatic
specifications for new and modified systems, including the evaluation
and implementation phases. When mutually agreed, provides support to
the Office of Hearings and Appeals and/or specific State Disability
Determination Services.
Section S2.20 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Operations--
(Functions)
Amend as follows:
D. The Office of Central Operations (OCO) (S2R) provides executive
direction and leadership for the nationwide establishment and
maintenance of basic records supporting Social Security programs,
foreign claims operations and OCO disability operations. It manages
centralized records operations and a stand alone data operations center
(DOC). The Office receives and processes Social Security earnings
reports from private and governmental employers and adjustments or
corrections to posted earnings. The Office maintains Social Security
enumeration and earnings records in various media and conducts an
ongoing data exchange with the Treasury Department to compile and
verify individual earnings data. It directs the OCO processing of
claims under disability benefits programs and maintains beneficiary
rolls. It directs the OCO initial adjudication and reconsideration of
disability claims excluded from State agency jurisdiction and directs
the OCO authorization of disability and auxiliary claims not authorized
by Field Offices (FOs) at the initial, reconsideration and appeal
[[Page 49833]]
levels. It determines whether and when eligibility or payments should
be terminated, suspended, continued, increased or reduced in amount. It
recovers or waives recovery of amounts incorrectly paid to
beneficiaries. It directs the development, adjudication and
authorization of payments or disallowance of claims for Retirement,
Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI) benefits filed by person in
foreign countries; determines eligibility for Medicare on related
claims; and determines entitlement to benefits based on international
Social Security agreements. It serves as liaison on operational issues
which affect the administration of the United States Social Security
program abroad, with the Department of State, other Federal agencies,
agencies of foreign governments and private organizations. When
arranged by mutual agreement, assists the Office of Hearings and
appeals in processing case backlogs including writing draft decisions
on cases decided by Administrative Law Judges. Also, assists State
Disability Determination Services by developing and adjudicating
backlogged disability claims as arranged by mutual agreement.
Section S2D.00 The Office of the Regional Commissioner--(Mission)
Amend as follows:
The Office of the Regional Commissioner (ORC) serves as the
principal SSA component at the regional level and assures effective SSA
interaction with other Federal agencies in the regions; State welfare
agencies; State Disability Determination Services (DDSs); and other
regional and local organizations. The office provides leadership for
regional planning, implementation and evaluation of Agency goals and
objectives and is accountable for the delivery of service in the
administration of SSA's Retirement, Survivors and Disability (RSDI)
programs, the Black Lung Benefits program and the Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) program. It issues regional operating policy and
procedures for these programs and evaluates program effectiveness. It
implements national operational and management plans for providing SSA
service to the public and directs a region-wide network of field
offices (FOs), Teleservice Centers (TSCs) and where present, Processing
Centers (PCs). It facilitates integration and coordination of SSA
programs with other Federal and State programs in the region. It
provides overall management direction for the provision of personnel
services and administrative priorities and issues policy directives
consistent with national program objectives, operational requirements
and systems and implements a regional SSA public affairs program. The
office maintains a broad overview of administrative operations of the
regional offices (ROs) of SSA's Office of Hearings and Appeals and a
data operations center to ensure effective coordination of SSA
activities at the regional level. When mutually agreed, provides
support to the Office of Hearings and Appeals and/or specific State
Disability Determination Services.
Section S2D.20 The Office of the Regional Commissioner--(Functions)
G. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Processing
Center Operations (S2D25,35,45,55,75,95) (located in the six regions
containing PCs)
Add:
8. When arranged by mutual agreement, assists the Office of
Hearings and Appeals in processing case backlogs including writing
draft decisions for cases decided by Administrative Law Judges. Also,
assists State Disability Determination Services by developing and
adjudicating backlogged disability claims as arranged by mutual
agreement.
Section S2R.00 Office of Central Operations--(Mission)
Amend as follows:
The Office of Central Operations (OCO) (S2R) provides executive
direction and leadership for: the nationwide establishment and
maintenance of basic records supporting Social Security programs,
foreign claims operations and OCO disability operations. It manages
centralized record operations and a stand alone DOC. The office
receives and processes Social Security earnings reports from private
and governmental employers and adjustments or corrections to posted
earnings. The Office maintains Social Security enumeration and earnings
records in various media and conducts an ongoing data exchange with the
Treasury Department to compile and verify individual earnings data. It
directs the OCO processing of claims under disability benefits programs
and maintains beneficiary rolls. It directs the OCO initial
adjudication and reconsideration of disability claims excluded from
State agency jurisdiction and directs the OCO authorization of
disability and auxiliary claims not authorized by FOs at the initial,
reconsideration and appeal levels. It determines whether and when
eligibility should be terminated, suspended or continued; or payments
increased or reduced in amount. It recovers or waives recovery of
amounts incorrectly paid to beneficiaries. It directs the development,
adjudication and authorization of payment or disallowance of claims for
RSDI benefits filed by persons in foreign countries; determines
eligibility for Medicare on related claims; and determines entitlement
to benefits abased on international Social Security agreements. It
serves as liaison on operational issues which affect the administration
of the United States Social Security program abroad, with the
Department of State, other Federal agencies, agencies of foreign
governments and private organizations. When mutually agreed, provides
support to the Office of Hearings and Appeals and/or specific State
Disability Determination Services.
Section S2R.20 Office of Central Operations--(Functions)
C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner, OCO (S2R)
provides internal operations and management support and assistance to
the Associate Commissioner and all OCO components.
Amend as follows:
1. The Assistant Associate Commissioner for Disability Operations
(S2RA) is responsible for planning and directing a major portion of the
operations administered by OCO. He/she is responsible for the planning
and direction of four divisions which review, adjudicate and reconsider
claims for Social Security disability and auxiliary benefits, and a
fifth division, which provides OCO service to the public by telephone
and applies and evaluates proposed alternative ways of performing OCO
functions. When mutually agreed, provides support to the Office of
Hearings and Appeals and/or specific State Disability Determination
Services.
b. The Division of Direct Service Operations (S2RA5):
Amend as follows:
1. When arranged by mutual agreement, assists the Office of
Hearings and Appeals in processing case backlogs including writing
draft decisions for cases decided by Administrative Law Judges. Also
assists State Disability Determination Services by developing and
adjudicating backlogged disability claims as arranged by mutual
agreement.
Dated: August 31, 1999.
Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 99-23807 Filed 9-13-99; 8:45 am]
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