Social Security Congressional and Public Affairs Staff Shrinks  At the end of 2018, the Appeals Council’s Congressional and Public Affairs Branch lost another ombudsman to retirement. This leaves a single ombudsman in this office. A Social Security claims representative group has already complained about the lack of responsiveness from this office.

SSA Starts Prehearing Review In an attempt to reduce hearing times, Social Security’s offices are starting to send some cases back to state agencies for additional reviews. These cases under the “Compassionate and Responsive Services” (“CARES”) initiative will receive an additional review. If the state agency determines that the case can

A new Commissioner of Social Security was re-nominated for a six-year term in January 2019. Andrew Saul, who was previously nominated during the 115th Congress that ended in January, was re-nominated for the post during the 116th Congress. The term of the Commissioner runs for six years, starting January 20, 2019.