| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT:
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| September 25, 2003 |
Kate Dwyer: 202-226-7326
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At Subcommittee Hearing, Ryan Questions
Social Security Officials about Failings at
Milwaukee, Chicago Offices
WASHINGTON – At a House Ways and Means Social Security
Subcommittee hearing today, First District Congressman Paul Ryan questioned
Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart and Inspector General James Huse of the Social
Security Administration (SSA) about management problems at the Milwaukee and
Chicago Offices of Hearings and Appeals (OHAs). Ryan had requested this hearing to help ascertain the truth
about where the breakdowns occurred in the Milwaukee and Chicago offices and
ensure that the Social Security Administration provides sufficient oversight to
regional OHAs to prevent further problems and provide competent, timely service
to claimants.
OHAs handle disability claims for the Social Security Administration, providing the mechanisms through which individuals dissatisfied with determinations affecting their rights to and amounts of benefits or their participation in programs under the Social Security Act may administratively appeal these determinations. Earlier this year, press reports documented serious problems at the Milwaukee and Chicago OHAs, including extensive backlogs of disability claims, unopened mail several months old, delays so severe in issuing decisions that some claimants died before receiving one, and pertinent documents wrongly discarded by contractors hired by the Chicago OHA.
“What happened in the Milwaukee and Chicago offices was
unacceptable –shameful mismanagement,” Ryan said. “I wanted to make sure that people whose files were
mishandled will be able to get a fair hearing and that claimants get competent,
timely action in the future. Commissioner
Barnhart assured us that those whose files were compromised will have the chance
for a supplementary hearing, and she outlined her recommendations for a new
system to fast-track decisions for people who are obviously disabled.”