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Report File
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Social Security Administration OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Social Security Administration OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Social Security Administration
Report Number
A-07-21-51105
Report Description

Objective: To determine whether the Social Security Administration accurately administered Statutory Benefit Continuation for beneficiaries who appealed the Agency’s medical cessation decisions.

Report Type
Audit
Agency Wide
Yes
Number of Recommendations
5
Questioned Costs
$563,584,926
Funds for Better Use
$0

Open Recommendations

This report has 5 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
1 No $0 $0 Agree

Create a stand-alone Statutory Benefit Continuation (SBC) election form, and if feasible, provide more options for beneficiaries to elect SBC, such as electronic election or verbal attestation.

2 Yes $297,689,888 $0 Agree

Create additional controls to ensure the Agency issues SBC payments when due, especially for beneficiaries whose appeals the Appeals Council has remanded back to the Administrative Law Judges.

3 No $0 $0 Agree

Improve communication between the hearing office and field office to ensure good cause determinations are applied accurately, especially when a beneficiary’s good cause statement for filing a late appeal and an SBC request are the same.

4 Yes $197,448,587 $0 Agree

Improve systems to ensure medical cessation dates are recorded correctly on Supplemental Security Income records.

5 Yes $68,446,451 $0 Agree

Improve systems to ensure SBC payments to Disability Insurance beneficiaries and auxiliary beneficiaries are stopped in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and policy.

Social Security Administration OIG

United States