The Social Security Administration (SSA) received $500 million in Recovery Act funds to address retirement and disability workloads. SSA fully funds the salaries and other costs of certain state employees who perform critical work in SSA's disability programs. However, because of the recent economic downturn, several states have furloughed employees -- including disability determination staff. The Office of Inspector General (OIG)'s report provides critical information on how furloughs of state disability determination employees will impact SSA's ability to process disability work. The OIG also notes that because fewer disability decisions will be made in states that have furloughed disability determination staff, there will be a negative impact on the flow of money in the U.S. economy. As such, the OIG's report informs Agency decision makers on where to assign Recovery Act funds to the various state disability determination offices.

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