Dear Tribal Leaders Letters (Subscribe)

Announcement of Fiscal Year 2024 Plan

Date:

Dear Tribal Leader:

On behalf of Martin O'Malley, Commissioner of Social Security, we are pleased to share our agency's Tribal Action Plan and upcoming training opportunities, pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships. The Office of Native American Partnerships has finalized and published the Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Consultation Call To Action Plan as well as posted our upcoming Tribal Benefits Coordinator Training opportunities.

Our Tribal Consultation Call to Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 builds on our accomplishments in 2023 while continuing to keep a robust engagement schedule to meet our following initiatives to:

  • Provide Tribal Consultation with Tribal Leaders & Urban Indian Organizations
  • Increase the Use of Technology to Connect SSA with Tribal Communities
  • Provide SSA Program Training to Tribal Government Employees
  • Promote Recognition of Native Language Revitalization Efforts at SSA
  • Establish the Commissioner's Tribal Advisory Committee; and
  • Recruit Native Students and Invest in their Retention.

Our office has a deep commitment to educate those around us, so I am happy to announce our second set of training sessions in March 2024 available using the following registration link. Our training opportunities are centered around the Tribal Benefits Coordinator Guide with a focus on SSA Benefits 101, Awareness of the Tribal General Welfare Act and guidance for an Assistance Based on Need Program to seek exclusions for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. We strive to keep an open dialogue regarding SSA policies and procedures, in addition to providing Policy experts to answer critical questions from those who are in roles that support Tribal members through their claims processing.

I look forward to meeting you throughout our travel activities to continue building trust and understanding your unique needs.

Sincerely,

Richard O. Litsey
Director of Native American Partnerships
Office of the Commissioner
Social Security Administration