In early 1996, SSA developed an ambitious 7-year plan to conduct 8.2 million CDRs during fiscal years 1996 to 2002, and, in March 1996, the Congress authorized a total of about $4.1 billion to fund SSA’s plan. SSA Met 1997 Target, Further Progress Expected

SSA data indicate that it will meet its CDR target for 1997, while also processing the newly required SSI childhood redeterminations. SSA also expects DDSs to be able to meet their 1998 hiring goals. Of this $563 million, SSA estimates it will spend $288 million to meet its goal of conducting 603,000 CDRs and will spend $235 million to process more than 235,000 SSI redeterminations—or a total of $523 million. Social Security Disability: SSA Is Making Progress Toward Eliminating Continuing Disability Review Backlogs Workload targets specified in current plan (CDRs in thousands)
Estimated average cost per CDR in FY 1998 Estimated total cost (dollars in millions)
Amount authorized (dollars in millions)
Authorized amount less estimated cost (dollars in millions)

	Timely Completion of Selection Formulas Needed to Meet Future Goals

To make the CDR process more cost effective, SSA has been developing selection formulas to identify which beneficiaries should receive lower cost mailers and which should be designated for higher cost full medical reviews. SSA is still developing selection formulas for many of the other beneficiaries due for CDRs, however, and the extent of SSA’s success could affect its ability to complete its 7-year plan cost effectively and on schedule. The more quickly SSA can remove those who are no longer eligible from the rolls, the more it can save in program costs. 17, 1997). Supplemental Security Income: SSA Is Taking Steps to Review Recipients’ Disability Status (GAO/HEHS-97-17, Oct. 30, 1996). 3, 1981). Additional copies are $2 each.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO discussed the Social Security Administration's (SSA) plan to eliminate the backlog of continuing disability reviews (CDRs) in the Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, focusing on: (1) SSA's progress toward achieving its current 7-year plan cost-effectively and on schedule; (2) SSA's spending rate; and (3) the status of selection formulas needed to meet future goals.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) SSA's experience in CDRs during fiscal year 1997 is encouraging; (2) for 1997, SSA expects to meet or exceed its goal to conduct 603,000 CDRs; (3) for 1998, SSA is planning to increase its goal because it was able to meet its 1997 goal, while also processing at least 235,000 SSI childhood eligibility redeterminations; (4) reviewing more cases sooner than planned, to the extent possible, is clearly desirable because of the high costs--in taxpayer dollars and program integrity--of continuing benefits to those who are no longer eligible; (5) in addition, SSA's spending to date and estimates of future processing costs suggest that it will be able to complete its current 7-year plan with the funds the Congress has authorized, although its revised plan will not be available until November 1997; and (6) key issues, however, such as deciding which beneficiaries should undergo a full medical review--a lengthy and costly process--are still unresolved but will determine how quickly and at what cost SSA can become current on its CDR workload.