The federal government operates on a fiscal year cycle, which starts on October 1
and continues to midnight September 30. SSA begins development of its fiscal year
appropriation request 21 months before the fiscal year begins. Approximately 17 months
before the beginning of the fiscal year, an estimate of what the DDSs will obligate
for the fiscal year is built into the appropriation request.
Approximately 9 months prior to the start of the fiscal year, the SSA budget becomes
a part of the President's budget submitted to Congress. The President's budget undergoes
the Congress' legislative authorization process (subcommittees, hearings, etc.).
When Congress passes SSA's appropriation timely, SSA receives its annual funding allocation
prior to October 1. The Office of Budget (OB) issues an allotment advice prior to
October 1 to the Office of Disability Determinations (ODD). This allotment provides
funding for DDS operations. ODD issues a funding allocation to each region. Under
this process, the amount of the funding allocation for each region is determined based
on the submission and review of the DDS Annual Spending Plan. (See POMS PM 00203.000
for instructions on preparing the DDS Spending Plan.)