On January 18, 2007, the President issued Executive Order 13422, "Amendment to Executive Order 12866 for Regulatory Planning and Review." On that same day, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget issued a related document, the OMB Bulletin on Agency Good Guidance Practices. The primary focus of the Executive Order and the Bulletin is on improving the way the Federal government does business with respect to guidance documents. The order and bulletin will ensure that future guidance documents are developed with appropriate agency review and public participation.

There are four significant guidance documents issued before January 25, 2007, that are currently in effect. The documents were issued as operating instructions to our technical personnel based on enacted legislation.

The current policy on DA&A implements Public Law 104-121 Contract with America which denies benefits to a claimant when DA&A is a contributing factor material to the disability determination.

See: Instruction on Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

The fee agreement process was developed as a streamlined alternative to the fee petition process, and became effective in July 1991 with Public Law 101-508 Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990.

See: Fee Authorization Under the Fee Agreement Process; and,
        Administrative Review of Determinations Under the Fee Agreement Process

The Social Security Protection Act of 2004, Public Law 108-203 extends the fugitive felon nonpayment provision to Title II beneficiaries beginning January 01, 2005.

See: Title II Fugitive Felons and Parole and Probation Violators; and,
         Fugitive Felons and Parole and Probation Violators (Title XVI)

The Social Security Protection Act of 2004, Public Law 108-203 affects entitlement for alien workers and their dependents both in and outside the United States.

See: Additional Requirements for Alien Workers - Social Security Protection Act of 2004