SSA is taking its case for more funding to the public. Image: Michael Vi/Shutterstock.com
In an unusual message, the SSA has in effect asked the public to support a budgetary boost the Biden White House is seeking for the agency, saying “the bottom line is that we need more funding to deliver the services you expect and deserve.”
The blog posting is timely, as it comes as Congress is set to consider at least a temporary funding extension and possibly a wrapup funding bill covering the remainder of the current fiscal year for SSA and other agencies. However, it is rare if not unprecedented in a communications channel the agency uses for purposes such as explaining benefits eligibility and for routine announcements such as listing the most popular names for newborns.
It says the administration requested a $800 million boost at the outset of the current fiscal year that “would have allowed us to maintain level service by hiring employees, funding our fixed cost increases, funding information technology projects, and allocating enough overtime to handle workloads, provided there is not an unexpected and significant increase in demand for our services and programs.”
However, Congress provided for only half of that amount, which “is not enough to cover the full year fixed cost increases or to maintain the hiring and overtime levels beyond December to improve service. On the other hand, the FY 2023 President’s budget request of $14.8 billion for SSA – a $1.4 billion increase over our FY 2022 enacted level of funding – would allow us to improve customer service and offer the service experience you deserve.”
It adds: “We have faced years of underfunding. We are currently operating with approximately 4,000 fewer employees since prior to the pandemic – a 7% drop, since we have not had the funds to hire the level of staff needed. We are also experiencing historically high levels of employees leaving the agency, because employees are carrying unreasonable workloads given the staffing shortage.”
That has contributed to what it called “unacceptable” levels of customer service including an average of over six months for a decision on an initial disability claim and over 30 minutes to speak to a representative on its central customer service line.
“Our employees strive to provide you compassionate and timely service but cannot do so without a budget that allows for significant improvement. Without additional funding in FY 2023, we would be forced to freeze hiring, cut overtime, and cut funding for our IT investments,” it says.
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