[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 123 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34490-34491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16687]



[[Page 34490]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This statement 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 for Programs and Policy. Notice is given that 
Subchapter TAJ, the Office of International Policy is being amended to 
reflect a realignment. The Division of International Program Policy and 
Agreements (TAJA) and the International Activities Staff (TAJB) are 
being abolished. A Deputy Associate Commissioner for International 
Policy position is being established and the organization will function 
under a team-based environment. Notice is further given that Subchapter 
TAH, the Office of Hearings and Appeals is being amended to reflect 
minor organizational and functional changes in that office. The changes 
are as follows:
    Section TAJ.10 The Office of International Policy--(Organization):
    Amend first sentence to read:
    The Office of International Policy, under the leadership of the 
Associate Commissioner for International Policy includes:
    Delete:
    C. The Division of International Program Policy and Agreements 
(TAJA).
    D. The International Activities Staff (TAJB).
    Establish:
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for International Policy 
(TAJ).
    Reletter the current ``B'' to ``C''. Section TAJ.20 The Office of 
International Policy--(Functions):
    Delete in their entirety:
    C. The Division of International Program Policy and Agreements 
(TAJA).
    D. The International Activities Staff (TAJB).
    Establish:
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for International Policy (TAJ) 
assists the Associate Commissioner in carrying out his/her 
responsibilities and performs other duties the Associate Commissioner 
may prescribe.
    Reletter the current ``B'' to ``C'' and amend new C as follows.
    C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner for 
International Policy (TAJ) provides the Associate Commissioner with 
staff assistance on the full range of his/her responsibilities, helps 
coordinate the activities of OIP, and acts as the SSA or United States 
Government representative to international organizations and world 
bodies involved with international social security matters.
    1. Plans, develops and evaluates program policies and procedures 
relating to foreign claims administration, foreign evidence and 
beneficiaries and modifies policies and procedures to meet program 
requirements in foreign countries.
    2. Negotiates international Social Security (totalization) 
agreements with foreign governments and takes the actions necessary to 
secure their approval, develops policies and procedures to implement 
agreements and administers the coverage provisions of the agreements.
    3. Issues certificates of coverage to United States-based workers 
who are on temporary assignments in countries with which the United 
States has international totalization agreements to exempt them (and 
their employers) from foreign social security taxes.
    4. Interacts with various SSA components, other Federal agencies 
and governments of other countries on all foreign program matters, 
including evaluation of foreign social insurance systems for alien 
nonpayment purposes, benefit payment delivery and restrictions, 
acceptability of foreign evidence, program integrity and mutual 
assistance arrangements with other countries.
    5. Conducts legislative and regulatory reviews, studies and 
analyses of all matters relating to international policy and 
international Social Security agreements and takes necessary 
legislative or regulatory action on foreign program and agreement 
problems requiring such remedy.
    6. Develops and coordinates individualized programs of consultation 
and observation for foreign Social Security officials and experts in 
related fields on the United States Social Security system.
    7. Coordinates SSA's technical assistance to foreign countries in 
designing and/or modernizing existing social security systems.
    8. Serves as SSA's focal point in disseminating information about 
the United States Social Security program to foreign organizations.
    9. Plans and coordinates SSA's international travel plan, including 
providing logistical support and administering all activities relating 
to control of official passports for SSA staff traveling abroad.
    10. Plans, implements and manages SSA-hosted international 
conferences, meetings and seminars.
    Section TAH.10. The Office of Hearings and Appeals--(Organization):
    D. The Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge (TAHA).
    Retitle:
    3. The Vocational Expert and Medical Advisor Staff (TAHA3) to the 
Vocational Expert and Medical Expert Staff (TAHA3).
    F. Office of Appellate Operations (TAHB).
    Retitle:
    25. The Division of Retirement and Survivors Insurance, 
Supplemental Security Income and Health Insurance (TAHBT) to The 
Division of Retirement and Survivors Insurance and Supplemental 
Security Income (TAHBT).
    Section TAH.20. The Office of Hearings and Appeals--(Functions):
    F. The Office of Appellate Operations (TAHB). Delete all text after 
the first sentence and replace with:
    In accordance with a direct delegation of authority from the 
Commissioner of Social Security, the Appeals Council is the final level 
of administrative review under the Administrative Procedure Act for 
claims filed under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, as 
amended, and Title IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 
1969, as amended. The Executive Director of the Office of Appellate 
Operations (OAO) is the Deputy Chair of the Appeals Council and is 
responsible for the day-to-day operations of a program of 
administrative review of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decisions 
issued under the provisions of the Social Security Act. Upon claimant 
request or on the Appeals Council's own motion, reviews ALJ decisions 
and dismissals involving claims for benefits filed under Titles II and 
XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended, and claims under Title IV 
of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, to 
determine if jurisdiction exists, and if so, takes appropriate action. 
The Appeals Council identifies cases which represent broad policy 
matters or have national impact, conducts oral hearings and acts to 
resolve the issues in such cases, establishing binding adjudicatory 
standards and decisional principles that govern OHA's adjudicatory 
process. Tracks and analyzes court case trends and disseminates 
information to guide adjudicators with respect to case law, to 
implement an effective appeals strategy, and to identify areas and make 
recommendations as to policies which need to be developed and/or 
clarified, new regulations which need to be developed and/or clarified, 
or clarifying legislation which should be sought.
    Retitle:

[[Page 34491]]

    25. The Division of Retirement and Survivors Insurance, 
Supplemental Security Income and Health Insurance (TAHBT) to The 
Division of Retirement and Survivors Insurance and Supplemental 
Security Income (TAHBT).
    Delete first sentence and replace with:
    25. The Division of Retirement and Survivors Insurance and 
Supplemental Security Income (TAHBT) serves as a support staff and 
provides advice to the Appeals Council in its review of decisions and 
dismissals involving claims to establish entitlement and the amount of 
benefits in old-age, survivors and disability under Title II of the 
Social Security Act; and claims to establish eligibility for any 
benefits payable in Title XVI cases.
H. The Office of Management (TAHE)
    Add as the last two sentences to opening statement: Plans, directs, 
and provides administrative support services in the areas of safety and 
self-protection. Administers security programs and inspections, and 
coordinates with local law enforcement officials to ensure protection 
of OHA property and personnel, including emergency planning and 
security.
    4. The Division of Materiel Resources (TAHE4).
    Delete from first sentence ``safety and self protection, including 
emergency planning; security;''
    Delete last sentence in its entirety.

    Dated: June 12, 1997.
Paul D. Barnes,
Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-16687 Filed 6-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P