MARTIN J. O'MALLEY IS NEW SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONER

DATELINE ----- DECEMBER 19, 2023

Martin J. O'Malley has sworn in today as the new Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, serving until January 19, 2025. A seasoned public servant, O'Malley previously held positions as Governor of Maryland and Mayor of Baltimore.

O'Malley has been given the task of reducing the long back logs at Social Security and improving staff morale and efficiency. For the last 20 years the agency has been asked to perform more and more work without adequate increases in staff or funding.

Confirmation hearings for O'malley were held earlier this year during which Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) told O'malley to "make sure that the train runs on time." He was referring to how long it takes to get decisions and service from Social Security. It now takes Social Security about 7 months on average to decide disability determinations; it takes another 7 months for reconsideration (the first appeal) and about 15 additional months for a hearing before a judge. That makes up to 2 1/2 years for many claimants to get a decision. The senate confirmation members made it clear to O'Malley that this level of service is not adequate. Hopefully the new Commissioner will be able to improve the backlogs and delays that plague the agency.

The senate also pointed out to O'Malley that Social Security faces a customer service crisis. The average on hold time to speak to someone at a Social Security call center in 2023 is 37 minutes. Social Security is handling 50 percent more payees than in 1995--but with the same level of staffing. Social Security's budgets have been declining while the number of people it serves is increasing.

The previous commissioner, Andrew Saul, had been appointed by President Trump. He was fired in 2021 after refusing to step down.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

O'Malley has been told: "Make sure the train runs on time."