New SSA Commissioner Email

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is an unhinged email.

I'm not at SSA - what is this line about?

"The life affirming moments we provide in the lives of citizens, is a result of serendipity - from doing our work well – it is not an end in itself, nor our mission."

AI generated, no human would write this. What they are implying is those feel good moments from work are not your motivation or job the successful operation of the agency is the goal and those feel good moments will naturally come from that. What they wanted to say is something like…
While the inspiring moments have meaning, are valuable and significant, they should not become the main objective. Instead, the organization should remain dedicated to its mission, trusting that these impactful experiences will arise as a natural consequence of doing the work well.

What you are saying is pretty close to how SSA is now. The main objective is to accurately process claims. But the claims process is complex and every claimant has a different profile. And some communicate better than others. Some have an advocate to help. If they don’t, we still need to develop the claim. That’s takes interpersonal contact. So, the side benefit is getting to help people— often people you talk to, medical records from or hear bits of their life story— and you see they really need SSA. And being able to provide what they need by processing the claim efficiently and correctly makes you feel like you accomplished something good today.

Elon doesn’t understand compassion or empathy, so he can’t write anything coherent about those emotions— which are drivers for many SSA employees.

FWIW, the medical portion of Social Security Disability/Supplemental Security Income claims for disability benefits are processed and adjudicated by STATE and DC government employees. At least until they are appealed to the level of the Administrative Law Judge.

And right now, by the Florida DSC support cadre in DQB. Which is detailed largely from AC senior attorneys. Oh.

^^ should say FL DDS Support cadre (internal acronym The DSC).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you Jeff for unlocking this! To be clear u didn’t mean for this to turn into a political discussion about SSA (although I realize it’s impossible not to touch on).

But I know there are a lot of SSA employees in this area. I’m wondering which jobs will be cut/outsourced? And if excepted service cannot be reassigned to competitive service (which I think most public-facing roles are) does that mean most of us will be RIF’d?

Do we think ALJs and disability attorneys will be replaced by AI?

Because we are essentially being run by Musk (using Dudek’s name) there is no layer of management to protect any of us. This administration will have free rein and I’m guessing this could serve as a test case for other agencies.

Also I’m totally creeped out by the part about serving at the pleasure of the president. No I don’t. Like most feds I am a civil servant, not a political appointee. I signed an oath to the constitution. I work for the good of the American people. I’m also like how does this not violate the Hatch Act? Any attorneys who practice in this area willing to take this on?

I can answer one part. No ALJs and AC attorneys cannot be replaced by AI. We have togive due process. I’ve never seen a Court case that has held that Ai can provide due process without human involvement.

I do think there will be a push to up productivity numbers and use AI tools like Imagin. The productivity goals could be concerning. But Imagin isn’t bad if you learn how to use it.

I agree they should not be replaced by AI. That doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t try. I’ve been digging around on Reddit for more info on what is mission critical and while it lists OHO it doesn’t say which jobs. I don’t see anything about 905 series. Only hearing offices are mentioned anywhere on the voluntary transfer form apparently (I haven’t filled it out personally).

[Anonymous]

Meant to add that I guess I’m being pessimistic, but I don’t expect whatever is left behind after this reorg to look anything like it does now. Which is why we’re getting this weird prophetic email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you Jeff for unlocking this! To be clear u didn’t mean for this to turn into a political discussion about SSA (although I realize it’s impossible not to touch on).

But I know there are a lot of SSA employees in this area. I’m wondering which jobs will be cut/outsourced? And if excepted service cannot be reassigned to competitive service (which I think most public-facing roles are) does that mean most of us will be RIF’d?

Do we think ALJs and disability attorneys will be replaced by AI?

Because we are essentially being run by Musk (using Dudek’s name) there is no layer of management to protect any of us. This administration will have free rein and I’m guessing this could serve as a test case for other agencies.

Also I’m totally creeped out by the part about serving at the pleasure of the president. No I don’t. Like most feds I am a civil servant, not a political appointee. I signed an oath to the constitution. I work for the good of the American people. I’m also like how does this not violate the Hatch Act? Any attorneys who practice in this area willing to take this on?

I can answer one part. No ALJs and AC attorneys cannot be replaced by AI. We have togive due process. I’ve never seen a Court case that has held that Ai can provide due process without human involvement.

I do think there will be a push to up productivity numbers and use AI tools like Imagin. The productivity goals could be concerning. But Imagin isn’t bad if you learn how to use it.

I agree they should not be replaced by AI. That doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t try. I’ve been digging around on Reddit for more info on what is mission critical and while it lists OHO it doesn’t say which jobs. I don’t see anything about 905 series. Only hearing offices are mentioned anywhere on the voluntary transfer form apparently (I haven’t filled it out personally).

Not quite. DOHO is listed on the form. But under the new realignment, Disability Determinations, OHO, OAO and OQR all fall under DOHO. OARO is gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What the actual f? Why on earth did they bring up other agencies to affirm what they are not? So weird.

Sounds like it was written by a Russian bot.