TN 6 (11-23)
DI 39503.020 How the Budget Process Works
SSA
begins to
develop
annual budgetary
estimates almost two years prior to the start of the fiscal year.
SSA's Office of Budget receives the DDS funding estimates in early May, approximately
17 months before the beginning of the fiscal year, and inform the agency's consolidated
budget request.
State agency budget and operating data are key inputs to developing the estimated budgetary needs.
DDS budgetary needs take into account
-
•
initial disability claim receipt projections developed by the Office of the Chief
Actuary,
-
•
work power needed to process those claims and other workloads, and
-
•
analysis of all other operating costs.
SSA
Commissioner's budget request is submitted to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) in early
September, approximately 13 months before the start of the fiscal year. OMB reviews the request
and works with SSA to incorporate the President's priorities. The President's budget
is typically submitted to Congress by the first Monday in February, about 8 months
prior to the start of the fiscal year. The President's budget then goes through Congress'
legislative process (budget resolution, appropriations and authorization bills, reconciliation,
etc.).
SSA funding is part of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related
Agencies funding bill.
If Congress does not pass an annual appropriation by October 1st, then they must pass
an interim funding bill in the form of a continuing resolution (CR) to ensure continuity
of funding for Federal operations. A CR provides funding at the same or similar levels
as the previous fiscal year. Once Congress passes an appropriation, OMB then has 30
days to apportion funds to SSA. DDS receives a separate apportionment.
SSA then provides allotments and allowances to SSA components, including the DDSs.
The Office of Disability Determinations (ODD), in turn, allots to each regional commissioner
funds for regional DDSs.
The regional commissioners are then responsible for issuing individual DDS funding
allocations.