The report calls on SSA to establish a "target pending" for cases in the reconsideration stage as the agency does for the other stages, to allow identification and monitoring of backlogs, and conduct a thorough evaluation of the disability service improvement initiative before deciding which elements should be implemented nationwide or discontinued.
SSA agreed that tracking claims pending in the reconsideration stage should be part of its monitoring of all the Disability Determination Service’s workloads, but disagreed that it should establish an agency target or goal for reconsideration claims.
The agency noted that it would continue to collect data and monitor outcomes and is implementing parts of its disability service improvement initiative, such as a "quick disability decisions" initiative, that have been effective.
GAO also recommended that SSA take steps to increase the likelihood that new initiatives would succeed through comprehensive planning, and to anticipate challenges by including appropriate staff in the design and implementation stages and by establishing feedback mechanisms to track progress and problems.
SSA agreed with that recommendation and said it was moving ahead with clear and accountable leadership, a solid plan, a hands-on executive steering committee, regular management information data as feedback, ongoing monitoring, and coordinated monthly evaluation mechanisms.