The Social Security Administration (SSA): Budget Request and Appropriations (CRS Report for Congress)
Premium Purchase PDF for $24.95 (20 pages)
add to cart or
subscribe for unlimited access
Pro Premium subscribers have free access to our full library of CRS reports.
Subscribe today, or
request a demo to learn more.
| Release Date |
Revised April 8, 2016 |
| Report Number |
R41716 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Scott Szymendera, Analyst in Disability Policy |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
-
Premium Revised Feb. 23, 2015 (13 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Sept. 8, 2014 (12 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised March 19, 2013 (17 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Jan. 25, 2013 (17 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised March 8, 2012 (1 page, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Jan. 25, 2012 (17 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Aug. 3, 2011 (16 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium March 23, 2011 (16 pages, $24.95)
add
|
Summary:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Old Age and Survivors Insurance(OASI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), andSpecial Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans programs that affect the lives of nearly everyAmerican family. These programs pay out over $800 billion in annual federal benefits. Programbenefit costs are considered mandatory spending not subject to annual appropriations.The SSA requires annual discretionary appropriations to administer these programs and toprovide support to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The President's FY2012 budget requestfor SSA administrative expenses, referred to as the limitation on administrative expenses (LAE)account, is $12.6 billion.This report provides an overview of the SSA's mandatory spending but largely focuses ondiscretionary appropriations for the agency's administrative expenses. The size of the annualappropriations for administrative expenses affects the agency's ability to effectively administerthe SSA's benefit programs as well as conduct program integrity activities designed to ensure thatonly eligible persons receive federal benefits.The agency has made progress in recent years in reducing the backlog of pending disability casesand reversing the trend in declining program integrity activities. However, the SSA rarelyreceives administrative funding equal to the President's request or its own independent budgetrequest, and this trend continues given the status of funding, via a series of continuing resolutionsfor FY2011. These extended continuing resolutions and LAE appropriations that are below thePresident's budget request may make it difficult for the SSA to build on this progress.For FY2012, the total SSA LAE appropriation is $11.4 billion, taking into account the 0.189%across-the-board rescission.The Budget Control Act of 2011, P.L. 112-25, which caps discretionary spending and increasesthe federal government's statutory debt limit includes a provision to adjust the discretionaryspending caps to permit additional appropriations to the SSA for program integrity activities.
