July 9, 2021 marked a “changing of the guard” at the Social Security Administration. Commissioner Andrew Saul, a Former President Donald Trump appointee, was fired by President Biden after Saul refused to resign. In his place, President Biden hired Kilolo Kijakazi to be the Acting Commissioner.
The firing is not without controversy, though is any firing? Saul is claiming the firing is unlawful as his six-year term is not set to expire until 2025. However, there are Supreme Court decisions that indicate that a President has the authority to fire the head of an independent agency. Saul, for his part, has gone to the media to state that his firing violates a law created to protect an agency from partisanship.
I never understood why Trump appointed Saul to begin with. Andrew Saul didn’t seem to have any experience that would be helpful to SSA, though I understand both Trump, and he, attended Wharton School of the UPENN together. As is commonly seen in the political realm, sometimes career advancement is not based on what you know, but who you know.
However, there were two things I liked about Saul. First, Andrew Saul understood that by embracing technology, SSA could become more efficient in the processing of benefit claims. Even prior to the pandemic, it was very difficult to get exceptional customer service at SSA’s field offices. Thus, as SSA began to add more and more services online, the less the public, and their representatives, would even have to contact personnel at the field offices.
Second, Saul recognizes the reality that SSA’s continued work-at-home protocol during the pandemic, and refusal to open their doors to the public, has had disastrous consequences when it came to the timely processing of claims. SSA is trying to claim that an internal survey indicated that 80 percent of the field office staff stated they are “more productive” when they work from home. Well…if you believe that, then I am unicorn trainer in my spare time. Would you like to purchase one of my rainbow-colored unicorns? They have the ability to jump over the moon.
The reality is it is impossible to get through SSA’s phone lines. Mail is not being opened in the timely manner and SSA CONTINUES to blame the poor service on the pandemic, in spite of the fact that the lion-share of the private sector has adapted to the challenges of the pandemic and are working successfully.
Let me clarify one thing. I am not talking about the Office of Hearings Operations (“OHO”). I am talking about the SSA field offices. The OHO staff have been the rock stars of the pandemic when it comes to customer service. In fact, if the entire OHO staff wants to work at home for the rest of their lives, I support it. They answer calls, return calls, send letters, get decisions out rapidly, and have managed to drastically reduce the hearing waiting time in the midst of the pandemic. They have actually improved their service during the pandemic. Conversely, the SSA field offices appear to be marginally operational right now. Saul understood this, and by seeking to reopen the field offices, he cemented his fate.
Am I glad that Biden has appointed an Acting Commissioner who actually has knowledge and experience in the disability and retirement sector? Of course I am! However, the sudden departure of Andrew Saul leaves the reopening status in question, an indefinite limbo, that is negatively impacting the disabled and the retired.
Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 101.
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