OMB cited the Small Business Administration’s efforts to speed up the process for businesses seeking disaster loans. Image: Mark Van Scyoc/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffOMB has issued its second annual report on agency efforts to make it easier for the public to access government benefits and programs, touting steps including making it easier to renew health insurance coverage, speeding up disbursement of relief money after natural disasters, and reducing time burdens on individuals and businesses.
“Administrative burdens—complicated forms, requests for redundant information, or confusing application processes—have a real cost: they lead to people being unable to access critical programs for which they are eligible . . . While others may succeed in accessing benefits, they still pay a heavy toll in the form of lost time, increased stress, the shame of stigma, or other costs,” says a posting by OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
Initiatives highlighted include (in its words):
The Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Digital Service’s efforts to increase automatic renewals in the Medicaid program using the government’s own data, instead of having people fill out complicated forms.
The Small Business Administration’s efforts to speed up the process for businesses seeking disaster loans.
The Social Security Administration’s efforts to simplify and streamline steps for low-income disabled children, disabled adults, and older Americans to maintain eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
The Department of Homeland Security’s improvements to the E-Verify system, which helps confirm a potential employee’s eligibility for employment, making the system easier for employers and employees to use while improving program integrity.
The Department of Agriculture’s efforts to work with states to simplify and streamline processes for obtaining and maintaining benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
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