SSA Organizational Manual: Chapter S - Social Security Administration

1. Mission
   1. The Social Security Administration is the Nation's primary income security Agency. It administers the Federal retirement, survivors and disability insurance programs, as well as the program of supplemental security income (SSI) for the aged, blind and disabled, and performs certain functions with respect to the black lung benefits program. SSA also directs the aid to the aged, blind and disabled in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
2. Organization
   
   The Social Security Administration, under the supervision and direction of the Commissioner of Social Security (the Commissioner), includes:
   1. The Office of the Commissioner of Social Security (SA).
   2. The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Operations (S2).
   3. The Office of the Chief Information Officer (S4).
   4. The Office of the SSA Inspector General (S8).
   5. The Office of the Actuary (TC).
   6. The Office of Disability Adjudication (TT).
   7. The Office of Mission Support (TU)
   8. The Office of External Affairs (TV).
   9. The Office of Law and Policy/General Counsel (TW).
3. Order of Succession
   
   The Social Security Administration performs all functions necessary to accomplish the Agency's mission. These are specified in more detail in the sections which follow.
   1. Deputy Commissioner
      1. In accordance with Section 702(b)(1) and (b)(4) of the Social Security Act [codified at 42 U.S.C. 902], there shall be in the Administration a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security. The Deputy Commissioner shall be Acting Commissioner of the Administration during the absence or disability of the Commissioner and, unless the President designates another officer of the Government as Acting Commissioner, in the event of a vacancy in the office of the Commissioner.
      2. In the event that both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner become unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of the Commissioner, the Order of Succession set forth in the President's Memorandum, dated October 17, 2014, and entitled "Providing an Order of Succession Within the Social Security Administration" shall be followed. In pertinent part, the President's Memorandum provides:
         1. Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this memorandum, and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officials of the Social Security Administration, in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of the Commissioner of Social Security (Commissioner), during any period in which both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Social Security have died, resigned, or become otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Commissioner:
            1. (a) Deputy Commissioner for Operations;
               (b) Deputy Commissioner for Mission Support;
               (c) Chief Information Officer;
               (d) Regional Commissioner, Southeast Region;
               (e) Regional Commissioner, Southwest Region;
               (f) Regional Commissioner, Mid-West/West Region; and
               (g) Regional Commissioner, Northeast Region.
         2. Section 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1 of this memorandum in an acting capacity, by virtue of so serving, shall act as Commissioner pursuant to this memorandum.
         3. (b) No individual listed in section 1 of this memorandum shall act as Commissioner unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Act.
         4. (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this memorandum, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this memorandum in designating an acting Commissioner.
   2. Associate Commissioner
      1. Where an Associate Commissioner has two deputies, one of the deputies shall be designated by the Associate Commissioner to serve as Acting Associate Commissioner during his/her absence. In the event of a disability of the Associate Commissioner, the Commissioner shall designate one of the Deputy Associate Commissioners to serve as Acting Associate Commissioner.
      2. In the event of the absence of both an Associate Commissioner and his/her Deputy or deputies, an executive designated by the Associate Commissioner shall serve as Acting Associate Commissioner.
      3. Should an Associate Commissioner or his/her Deputy Associate Commissioner become disabled, an SSA official designated by the Commissioner shall serve as Acting Associate Commissioner.
   3. Regional and Deputy Regional Commissioner
      1. During the absence or disability of a Regional Commissioner, the Deputy Regional Commissioner shall serve as Acting Regional Commissioner.
      2. In the event of the absence of both a Regional Commissioner and his/her Deputy, an SSA regional office official designated by the particular Regional Commissioner shall serve as Acting Regional Commissioner.
      3. Should both the Regional Commissioner and Deputy Regional Commissioner become disabled, an SSA official designated by the Commissioner shall serve as Acting Regional Commissioner.

Subchapter SA - Office of the Commissioner

1. Mission
   1. The Office of the Commissioner (OC) is directly responsible for all programs administered by SSA; for State-administered programs directed by SSA; and for certain functions with respect to the black lung benefits program. It provides executive leadership to SSA.
   
   
2. Organization 
   
   The Office of the Commissioner, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Social Security, includes:
   1. The Commissioner of Social Security (SA).
   2. The Deputy Commissioner of Social Security (SA).
   3. Immediate Office of the Commissioner (SA).


3. Functions
   1. The Commissioner of Social Security (SA) and Deputy Commissioner of Social Security provide executive leadership to SSA and exercise general supervision over its major components.
   2. The Deputy Commissioner of Social Security (SA) assists the Commissioner in carrying out his/her responsibilities and performs other duties as the Commissioner may prescribe.
   3. The Immediate Office of the Commissioner (SA)
      1. Provides oversight and direction to the ongoing operation and activities of the Office of the Commissioner.
      2. Provides the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Social Security with staff assistance on the full range of responsibilities.
      3. Plans, manages, and coordinates special projects/initiatives involving Agency administrative, policy, or program issues.
      4. Serves as a focal point and represents the interests of the Commissioner to ensure that Agency components are aware of, and held accountable for, priorities, initiatives, and required actions. Acts as a catalyst and conduit for the exchange of information and direction between the Commissioner, functional Deputy Commissioners, and other executives.
      5. Advises the Commissioner on issues concerning Agency operation, program integration, staffing/personnel matters, organizational effectiveness, and cooperation.
      6. Directs administrative operations for the Office of the Commissioner including the budget, personnel management, and the development of policies and procedures necessary to secure a correctly and efficiently managed office.
      7. Provides oversight and perspective on Agency-wide administrative and programmatic funding.
      8. Coordinates priority matters requiring the attention of, or decision by, the Commissioner and directs the tracking and monitoring of actions assigned by the Commissioner to all Agency components.
      9. Coordinates and provides liaison for internal communication and correspondence control for OC.
      10. Monitors administrative and program policy development and policy implementation activities, and prepares periodic status reports.
      11. Ensures that issues requiring the Commissioner’s attention are developed timely and coordinated with SSA and other Federal agencies having an interest in the matter; designs and implements procedures for proper coordination and follows through on specific issues.
      12. Expedites regulation development, review, clearance, publication and issuance. Oversees the management of the final stages of regulations development and clearance prior to submittal to the Commissioner.
      13. Communicates the objectives, priorities and standards of the OC to individuals involved in the preparation of correspondence and memoranda, and ensures that communications signed or approved by OC are consistent with these standards and objectives.
      14. Reviews and analyzes memoranda and other communications directed to OC for adequacy of coordination and clearances, clearness and conciseness of presentation, timeliness, necessary follow through and other elements of completed staff work.
      15. Works with functional components and staff offices to improve the quality of decision papers and correspondence.