[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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