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The Social Security Administration's Management of the Disability Programs

Published: Feb 21, 1978. Publicly Released: Feb 21, 1978.
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Highlights

The Social Security Disability Insurance Program was established in 1954 to prevent the erosion of retirement benefits of wage earners who became disabled and were prevented from continuing payments into their social security account. A claimant can apply for disability benefits at any social security district or branch office. The determination of an applicant's disability is made by a State agency, but the costs incurred in making disability determinations are borne by the Federal Government. The Federal-State relationship is an impediment to improving the administration of the program, and the disability determination process should be brought under complete Federal management. The quality and uniformity of disability decisions suffer because the Social Security Administration (SSA) has not corrected weaknesses reported in an earlier report. SSA has not: provided timely, clear, and concise criteria and guidelines for States to use in making disability determinations; assured that uniform training was provided to State agency employees; or assured that an effective quality assurance system is properly implemented. The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should develop a plan for strengthening the disability determination process by bringing it under complete Federal management. In the interim, SSA should: assure that clear, concise criteria and guidelines are provided for use in making disability determinations; provide uniform training for those making the determinations; and assure that the quality assurance system is properly implemented.

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