Social Security Opens Access to Data About
Disability Hearings, Processes at Data.gov
Commissioner Astrue says it is part of ‘President
Obama’s commitment to creating an unprecedented level of openness in
government’
Jan. 25, 2010 – What has to be seen as a good step
forward in helping Americans find their way more quickly through the
approval process to receive disability assistance from Social Security,
the agency has made available public Online access to data about beneficiaries
and the agency’s disability and hearing processes.
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security,
today announced that the agency is making new data about beneficiaries
and the agency’s disability and hearing processes available to the
public.
The old twister joins Social Security in announcing
new “twist” in law making it easier to qualify for Extra Help with
Medicare prescription drug plan costs
The new data, which supports the President’s
Transparency and Open Government initiative, is available at
www.data.gov, which is the home page for access to new information
from many federal government entities.
The welcome to site states, “The purpose of
Data.gov is to increase public access to high value, machine readable
datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.
"Although the initial launch of Data.gov provides a limited portion of
the rich variety of Federal datasets presently available, we invite you
to actively
participate in shaping the future of Data.gov by suggesting
additional datasets and site enhancements to provide seamless access and
use of your Federal data."
"I applaud President Obama’s commitment to creating
an unprecedented level of openness in government and the new datasets we
are posting far exceed what was asked of us,” said Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security, when the data was made available last
Friday.
““Social Security has always valued transparency
and sought to give the public user-friendly information about our
programs. Each year we send millions of Americans personal information
about their Social Security contributions and potential benefits.
“Our website
www.socialsecurity.gov has a wealth of information about our
programs and the Social Security trust funds. I hope the new data we
are making available will lead to a better understanding of our
operations and the important role we play in people’s lives. I look
forward to engaging Americans in the business of their government.”
Here are a few examples of the Social Security
datasets now available:
● Researchers can find out about the
work-related experiences of beneficiaries receiving Social Security
disability benefits and give policy guidance for our disability
programs.
● The public can see information about hearings
workloads and a breakdown of the types of decisions made by
Administrative Law Judges.
● Researchers can study the effects of current
and proposed legislative and program provisions.
● People who have requested a hearing on their
disability claim can estimate the amount of time they may have to wait
for the hearing to be held and for a decision.
● The public can see general information
requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
“These new datasets are just the beginning of our
efforts,” Astrue said.
“In February we will launch our Open Government
webpage that will include improved access to our data in a variety of
formats.
“In April we will publish our Open Government plan.
“Let me also reassure all Americans that while our
goal is to become more open and transparent, we will continue to
vigilantly protect the personal information the public entrusts to us.
We will ensure that transparency does not put that information at
risk.”
To read the President’s Memorandum on Transparency
and Open Government,
click here.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Jan. 25, 2010 – What has to be seen as a good step
forward in helping Americans find their way more quickly through the
approval process to receive disability assistance from Social Security,
the agency has made available public Online access to data about beneficiaries
and the agency’s disability and hearing processes.
Your check will come on same payment day in 2010 as
it has in 2009