[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19397-19398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9767]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

    This statement amends part T of the Statement of the Organization, 
Functions and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security 
Administration. Notice is given that chapter TA for the Office of the 
Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs (ODCDISP) 
is being amended to reflect the establishment of the Office of 
Employment Support Programs (TAT). Further notice is given that 
Subchapter TAE, the Office of Disability is being amended to delete 
functions being transferred to OESP and to abolish the related Division 
of Employment and Rehabilitation Programs (TAEJ). Notice is also being 
given that Subchapter TAP, the Office of Program Benefits, is being 
amended to reflect a title change and changes in responsibilities. The 
changes are as follows:

Section TA.10  The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and 
Income Security Programs--(Organization)

    Establish:
    I. The Office of Employment Support Programs (TAT).

Section TA.20  The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and 
Income Security Programs--(Functions)

    Establish:
    I. The Office of Employment Support Programs (TAT) plans, develops, 
evaluates, issues and administers operational policies that implement 
provisions in the Social Security Act and related statutes promoting or 
otherwise facilitating the employment of Disability Insurance and 
Supplemental Security Income Program beneficiaries with disabilities. 
Plans and directs a program to assess and evaluate beneficiary needs in 
the areas of rehabilitation and employment support. Provides 
operational advice, technical support and direction to central office, 
regional office and field components in the administration of 
employment support programs. Evaluates the effects of proposed 
legislation, policy and regulatory changes to determine the operational 
impact on employment support programs. Provides assistance in educating 
the public about disability program work incentives, rehabilitation and 
other forms of employment support. Establishes and maintains 
relationships with parties interested in the employment of persons with 
disabilities. Engages in broad-based efforts in partnership with other 
public and private entities to remove employment obstacles encountered 
by disability beneficiaries. Promotes process innovation and 
cooperation among its partners and stakeholders.

Section TAE.10  The Office of Disability--(Organization)

    Abolish:
    I. The Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Programs (TAEJ).

Section TAE.20  The Office of Disability--(Functions)

    Abolish in its entirety:
    I. The Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Programs (TAEJ).

Section TAP.10  The Office of Program Benefits--(Organization)

    Retitle:
    E. The Division of Eligibility and Enumeration (TAPJ) to the 
Division of Eligibility and Enumeration Policy (TAPJ).

Section TAP.20  The Office of Program Benefits--(Functions)

    Retitle:
    E. The Division of Eligibility and Enumeration (TAPJ) to the 
Division of Eligibility and Enumeration Policy (TAPJ).
    Amend as follows:
    2. Develops and issues guidelines, directives, instructions, and 
operating procedures for such eligibility and enumeration subject areas 
as applications, alien issues, evidence, relationships, insured status, 
income and resources, living arrangements, in-kind support and 
maintenance, applications for Social Security numbers, and interprogram 
relationships with food stamps.
    F. The Division of Representative Payment and Evaluation (TAPK).
    Amend as follows:
    2. Develops and issues guidelines, directives, instructions and 
operating procedures for such representative payment subject areas as 
(in) capability assessment, investigation and selection of payees, use 
and conservation of benefits, misuse of benefits, payment for payee 
services and payee oversight, and for interprogram relationships with 
Medicaid and Medicare.
    Add Subchapter:

Subchapter TAT
Office of Employment Support Programs
TAT.00 Mission
TAT.10 Organization
TAT.20 Functions

Section TAT.00  The Office of Employment Support Programs--(Mission)

    The Office of Employment Support Programs (OESP) plans, develops, 
evaluates, issues and administers operational policies that implement 
provisions in the Social Security Act and related statutes promoting or

[[Page 19398]]

otherwise facilitating the employment of Disability Insurance and 
Supplemental Security Income Program beneficiaries with disabilities. 
Plans and directs a program to assess and evaluate beneficiary needs in 
the areas of rehabilitation and employment support. Provides 
operational advice, technical support and direction to central office, 
regional office and field components in the administration of 
employment support programs. Evaluates the effects of proposed 
legislation, policy and regulatory changes to determine the operational 
impact on employment support programs. Provides assistance in educating 
the public about disability program work incentives, rehabilitation, 
other forms of employment support and proposed program changes. 
Establishes and maintains relationships with parties interested in the 
employment of persons with disabilities. Engages in broad-based efforts 
in partnership with other public and private entities to remove 
employment obstacles encountered by disability program beneficiaries. 
Promotes process innovation and cooperation among its partners and 
stakeholders.

Section TAT.10  The Office of Employment Support Programs--
(Organization)

    The Office of Employment Support Programs (TAT) under the 
leadership of the Associate Commissioner for Employment Support 
Programs, includes:
    A. The Associate Commissioner for Employment Support Programs 
(TAT).
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for Employment Support 
Programs (TAT).
    C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner for 
Employment Support Programs (TATA).
    D. The Division of Employment Policy (TATB).
    E. The Division of Employment Support and Program Acquisitions 
(TATC).

Section TAT.20  The Office of Employment Support Programs--(Functions)

    A. The Associate Commissioner for Employment Support Programs (TAT) 
is directly responsible to the Deputy Commissioner, Disability and 
Income Security Programs for carrying out OESP's mission, and provides 
general supervision to the major components of OESP.
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner for Employment Security 
Programs (TAT) assists the Associate Commissioner in carrying out his/
her responsibilities, and performs other duties as the Associate 
Commissioner may prescribe.
    C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner for 
Employment Security Programs (TATA) provides the Associate Commissioner 
and Deputy Associate Commissioner with staff assistance on the full 
range of their responsibilities and helps coordinate the activities of 
the OESP components. This includes coordinating activities involving 
relations with customers, stakeholders and other parties.
    D. The Division of Employment Policy (TATB).
    1. Develops, evaluates, implements and maintains program policy on 
DI and SSI work incentives, and related areas, including areas of 
intercomponent concern such as substantial gainful activity. Drafts 
regulations and prepares operating policies and related instructional 
materials.
    2. Develops, in conjunction with the Office of the Deputy 
Commissioner for Communications, informational materials to increase 
public understanding and use of work incentives and to support the 
employment efforts of Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities.
    3. Develops proposals and plans for new work incentives and other 
policy changes.
    4. Develops specifications for and administers grants, cooperative 
agreements and Federal interagency agreements in support of program 
activities.
    E. The Division of Employment Support and Program Acquisitions 
(TATC).
    1. Implements the provisions of the Social Security Act which call 
for referral of disability beneficiaries for rehabilitation and other 
forms of employment support services. Evaluates the performance of 
service providers in the public and private sectors. Certifies payment 
to service providers and ensures that beneficiary participation in the 
program is appropriate.
    2. Develops, implements, evaluates and maintains regulations, 
program operating policies, and instructional and other materials on 
employment services and service provider operations. Interfaces with 
the vocational rehabilitation programs administered under the 
Rehabilitation Act.
    3. Develops proposals and plans for new employment support services 
and other related program changes.

    Dated: March 16, 1999.
Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 99-9767 Filed 4-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P