SSA Disability Reengineering: Project Magnitude and Complexity ImpedeImplementation. Statement of Diana S. Eisenstat, Associate Director, Income Security Issues, Health, Education and Human Services Division

摘要

I am pleased to be here today to discuss the Social Security Administration's(SSA) efforts to redesign its disability claims process, SSA operates two disability programs--the Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. While downsizing substantially, SSA has struggled to manage unprecedented growth in applications for disability benefits and in the number of appealed disability decisions. Processing delays at SSA have created hardships for disabled claimants, who often wait more than a year for a final disability decision. In fiscal year 1995, SSA spent about $3 billion in administrative costs to pay about $61.3 billion in cash benefits to program recipients. Concerned about reducing administrative costs, saving time, and improving the quality of service in the disability claims process, SSA's leaders turned tp business process reengineering in 1993.