Plan for a new disability claim process

The Social Security Administration has released a plan to dramatically improve the agency's disability determination process. When fully implemented, this new process will facilitate better and faster service for the millions of individuals who apply for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits each year. The Commissioner recently created a Disability Implementation Task Force that has already begun the extensive planning needed to make the new disability process a reality. The changes are expected to be made over a 5-year period, beginning later this year. We are reprinting from the plan the Commissioner's message; the broad description of the new process, with detailed elements of the process to be developed; the costs and benefits; and the implementation strategy. Most of the information contained in the first section of the plan, Case for Action, was published in our last issue (Social Security Bulletin, Summer 1994, pp. 51-55). The full report, including the Appendices, can be obtained by calling 1-410-966-8255 or by writing to SSA, Disability Process Reengineering Project, P.O. Box 17052, Baltimore, Maryland 21235.