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Social Security Administration

The Role of the Office of the Inspector General

[image: of jigsaw puzzle with pieces labled Office of Management Services, Office of the Counsel to the IG, Office of the Inspector General, Audits and Evaluations, and Investigations.]

In 1978, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness within the Government, then-President Carter signed into law the Inspector General Act. The Act and its subsequent amendments created independent Offices of Inspector General (OIG) for all Federal agencies. These Offices, which are headed by Inspectors General (IG), act as the watchdogs for their agencies by promoting economy and efficiency, while also detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in the agency's programs. IGs work with agency heads by keeping them informed of, and suggesting ways of improving, problems or deficiencies in their programs.

In 1994, as part of the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act, Public Law 103-296, SSA was provided with its own 01G. The OIG works with SSA's Commissioner in safeguarding SSA programs against illegal activity. The OIG is comprised of four Offices—Investigations, Audit, Counsel, and Management Services. The duties of each of these Offices are outlined below.

INVESTIGATIONS

The Office of Investigations conducts and coordinates investigative activities related to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in SSA's programs and operations. The Office frequently conducts joint investigations with other law enforcement agencies and reports to the Attorney General when there are grounds to believe Federal criminal law has been violated. In cases where illegal activities are confirmed, the investigator will seek to establish the individual or entity's intent. The Office also manages the SSA Fraud Hotline.

The Office seeks to validate allegations of wrongdoing. These allegations are often received from beneficiaries; recipients; private citizens; SSA employees; the Congress; other Federal, State, and local law enforcement organizations; the General Accounting Office; and other Federal agencies. Allegations may also be referred by SSA management. In addition, allegations may be developed by auditors while they are conducting an audit. It is important to note that investigations also serve to clear individuals of allegations that are made against them.

AUDITS AND EVALUATIONS

The Office of Audit conducts comprehensive financial and performance audits of SSA's programs and operations and makes recommendations to ensure that program objectives are achieved effectively and efficiently. Financial audits include those audits that are required by the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, as amended. They determine whether SSA's financial statements fairly present the Agency's financial position, results of operations, and cash flow. Performance audits review the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of SSA's programs.

The Office also conducts short-term management and program evaluations that are focused on issues of concern to SSA, the Congress, and the public. These evaluations involve evaluating, reviewing, studying, or analyzing programs for the purpose of providing factual, analytical information to managers for decisionmaking to improve programs, policies, and/or procedures.

This Office is organized into issue area teams that tie into SSA's program areas and core business processes. These teams conduct independent, systematic assessments of SSA's programs and provide recommendations to SSA management for a more efficient and effective operation.

COUNSEL TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

This Office provides legal advice and counsel to the IG, senior staff, and staff-level auditors and investigators.

The Counsel's Office is responsible for regulaory commentary pursuant to the IG Act of 1978, as amended. The Office of the Counsel reviews audits, administers the Civil Monetary Penalty program, and clears subpoenas. In addition, the Office of the Counsel reviews existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to SSA's programs and operations to assist the Agency in identifying potential problems thereby preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in programs and operations. Any significant concerns are communicated to the Agency so the proposed regulation or legislation may be revised.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Office of Management Services coordinates resource management needs for the OIG components by providing services in the areas of budget, facilities and equipment, human resources, and information resource management. This Office also coordinates OIG's strategic planning function, the development and implementation of performance measures required by the Government Performance and Results Act, public affairs, interagency activities, reporting requirements and publications, and responses to congressional inquiries.

For more information about the OIG, call our Office of Management Services at (410) 966-9135 or visit our World Wide Web Page at http://www.ssa.gov/oig/

To contact the OIG directly

Write

Office of the Inspector General
Room 300
Altmeyer Building
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235

To report an allegation of fraud

Write

SSA Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235

Call

SSA Fraud Hotline
1-800-269-0271

Fax

1-410-597-0118

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