Management Advisory Report: Adequacy of the Administrative Practices in the Atlanta North Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
(Limited Distribution) (A-04-07-27153)

Our objective was to determine the adequacy of the administrative practices at the Atlanta North Hearing Office of the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Specifically, we determined whether the administrative practices ensured the Social Security Administration's (SSA) resources and sensitive, personally identifiable information were properly safeguarded.

ODAR is responsible for holding hearings and issuing decisions as part of the process for determining whether a person is eligible for benefits. ODAR directs a nationwide field organization staffed with administrative law judges (ALJ) who conduct impartial hearings and make decisions on appealed determinations involving retirement, survivors, disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Within ODAR, more than 1,100 ALJs at 140 hearing offices enter over 500,000 decisions a year. During Fiscal Year 2006, the Atlanta North Hearing Office conducted 2,714 hearings and issued 4,152 decisions.

We made four recommendations to the Agency. The Agency agreed with all our recommendations.

This report contains restricted information for official use. Distribution is limited to authorized officials.