    [United States Government Manual]
    [May 30, 1997]
    [Pages 671-674]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

    6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235
    Phone, 410-965-1234

    Commissioner of Social Security                   John J. Callahan,
                                                              Acting
    Principal Deputy Commissioner                     John R. Dyer, Acting
    Chief of Staff                                    Brian D. Coyne
    Chief Actuary                                     Harry C. Ballantyne
    General Counsel                                   Arthur J. Fried
    Inspector General                                 David C. Williams
    Deputy Commissioner for Communications            Joan E. Wainwright
    Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment, and  Dale W. Sopper, Acting
            Management/Chief Financial Officer
    Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources           Paul D. Barnes
    Deputy Commissioner for Legislation and           Judy L. Chesser
            Congressional Affairs
    Deputy Commissioner for Operations                Janice L. Warden
    Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Policy       Carolyn W. Colvin
    Deputy Commissioner for Systems                   D. Dean Mesterharm

    [For the Social Security Administration statement of organization, see
            the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Part 422]

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    The Social Security Administration manages the Nation's social insurance
    program, consisting of retirement, survivors, and disability insurance
    programs, commonly known as Social Security. It also administers the
    Supplemental Security Income program for the aged, blind, and disabled.
    The Administration is responsible for studying the problems of poverty
    and economic insecurity among Americans and making recommendations on
    effective methods for solving these problems through social insurance.
    The Administration also assigns Social Security numbers to U.S. citizens
    and maintains earnings records for workers under their Social Security
    numbers.

    The Social Security Administration (SSA) was established by
    Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1946 (5 U.S.C. app.), effective July 16,
    1946. It became an independent agency in the executive branch by the
    Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 (42
    U.S.C. 901), effective March 31, 1995.
        The Administration is headed by a Commissioner, appointed by the
    President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
        In administering the programs necessary to carry out the agency's
    mission, by law the Commissioner is assisted by a Deputy Commissioner,
    who performs duties assigned or delegated by the Commissioner; a Chief
    Financial Officer; a General Counsel; a Chief Actuary; and an Inspector
    General.

    Programs and Activities

    Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance  The agency administers
    these social insurance programs, which provide monthly benefits to
    retired and disabled workers, their spouses and children, and to
    survivors of insured workers. Financing is under a system of
    contributory social insurance, whereby employees, employers, and the
    self-employed pay contributions that are

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    pooled in special trust funds. When earnings stop or are reduced because
    the worker retires, dies, or becomes disabled, monthly cash benefits are
    paid to partially replace the earnings the family has lost.

    Supplemental Security Income  The agency administers this needs-based
    program for the aged, blind, and disabled. A basic Federal monthly
    payment is financed out of general revenue, rather than a special trust
    fund. Some States, choosing to provide payments to supplement the
    benefits, have agreements with the Administration under which it
    administers the supplemental payments for those States.

    Medicare  While the administration of Medicare is the responsibility of
    the Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human
    Services, the Social Security Administration provides Medicare
    assistance to the public through SSA field offices and processing
    centers, and adjudicates requests for hearings and appeals of Medicare
    claims.

    Black Lung  By agreement with the Department of Labor, SSA is involved
    in certain aspects of the administration of the black lung benefits
    provisions of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as
    amended (30 U.S.C. 901).

    Regional Offices  Social Security Administration operations are
    decentralized to provide services at the local level. Each of the SSA 10
    regions, under the overall direction of its Regional Commissioner,
    contains a network of field offices and teleservice centers, which serve
    as the contact between SSA and the public. The Administration operates
    1,292 field offices, 38 teleservice centers, and 6 program service
    centers. These installations are responsible for:
        --informing the public of the purposes and provisions of Social
    Security programs and their rights and responsibilities;
        --assisting with claims filed for retirement, survivors, disability,
    or health insurance benefits, black lung benefits, or Supplemental
    Security Income;
        --developing and adjudicating claims;
        --assisting certain beneficiaries in claiming reimbursement for
    medical expenses;
        --developing cases involving earnings records, coverage, and fraud-
    related questions;
        --making rehabilitation service referrals; and
        --assisting claimants in filing appeals on SSA determinations of
    benefit entitlement or amount.

    For further information, contact the Social Security Administration.
    Phone, 800-772-1213 (toll-free).

    Sources of
    Information

    Inquiries on the following subjects may be directed to the appropriate
    office, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard,
    Baltimore, MD 21235.

    Contracts and Small Business Activities  Contact the Office of
    Acquisitions and Grants. Phone, 410-965-9457.

    Electronic Access  Information regarding the Social Security
    Administration may be obtained through the Internet, at http://
    www.ssa.gov/.

    Employment  A variety of civil service registers and examinations are
    used in hiring new employees. Specific employment information may be
    obtained from the Office of Personnel. Phone, 410-965-4506.

    General Information  The Office of the Deputy Commissioner for
    Operations manages SSA's toll-free public service telephone. Phone, 800-
    772-1213 (toll-free).

    Inspector General  The Office of the Inspector General maintains a 24-
    hour toll-free hotline to receive allegations and complaints relative to
    SSA operations nationwide. Phone, 800-269-0271 (toll-free). Fax, 410-
    965-3011.

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    Publications  The Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Communications
    publishes numerous pamphlets concerning SSA programs. Single copies may
    be obtained at any local office or by calling 800-772-1213. The
    Administration also collects a substantial volume of economic,
    demographic, and other data in furtherance of its program mission. Basic
    data on employment and earnings, beneficiaries and benefit payments, and
    other items of program interest are published regularly in the Social
    Security Bulletin, its Annual Statistical Supplement, and in special
    releases and reports that appear periodically on selected topics of
    interest to the public. Additional information may be obtained from the
    Publications Staff, Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, 500
    E Street SW., Washington, DC 20254. Phone, 202-282-7138.

    Reading Rooms  Requests for information, for copies of records, or to
    inspect records may be made at any local office or the Headquarters
    Contact Unit, Room G-44, Altmeyer Building. Phone, 800-772-1213 (toll-
    free).

    Speakers and Films  The Administration makes speakers, films, and
    exhibits available to public or private organizations, community groups,
    schools, etc., throughout the Nation. Requests for this service should
    be directed to the local Social Security Office.

    For further information, contact the Office of Public Inquiries, Social
    Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235.
    Phone, 410-965-7700. Internet, http://www.ssa.gov/.

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