GAO Recommendations for Improving the Management of Social Security Administration Programs

A review was conducted of the efficient use of public funds and the identification of weaknesses and improvements needed in the administration of social security programs. Audit activities at the Social Security Administration indicate millions of dollars have and continue to be misspent and overall accurate figures are not available. Social Security recently established an Office of Payment Eligibility Quality independent of its program operating components, whose principle function is to develop and maintain an agency-wide quality assurance system. The quality assurance system was reviewed and the principal weaknesses noted. Based on the results of other work performed, the quality assurance system is not considered a reliable source for estimating the magnitude of waste in social security programs. Social Security needs to establish an effective organization of its own to independently carry out ongoing performance evaluations and operational reviews. Social Security has scheduled full implementation of its reorganization by July 1979.