Congressman: Cutting the services that Iowa's seniors rely on is the first step to closing these facilities entirely
Washington, D.C. - Days after joining over 100 lawmakers to express their opposition to cuts to vital services at Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today introduced legislation that would delay those cuts?arguing that SSA has done nothing to illustrate equivalent access to Iowa's seniors or cost savings.
Beginning August 2014, SSA will no longer issue Social Security number printouts in its field offices. In addition, beginning October 2014, SSA field offices will stop providing benefit verification letters, except in emergency situations. Many seniors rely on these verification letters for a variety of services. Those requesting this information would be able to do so only online or over the phone. Last year alone, 11 million Americans used SSA offices to request this information.
Braley's Seniors' Access to Social Security Act would prevent those cuts for one year, during which time Braley will seek verification that the proposed service cuts will not adversely affect Iowa's seniors and will save taxpayers money.
"They're cutting services that tens of thousands of Iowa's seniors access every year, and there's no indication it will save a penny?that makes absolutely no sense to me," Braley said. "Iowa has one of the highest ratios of seniors in the country, many of whom don't have internet access. The Administration needs to explain how those seniors will still have access to the services they need and how it will save money?and until they do that I'll remain strongly opposed to cutting services at these facilities."
"Making unwarranted and extensive service cuts to these offices moves us closer to permanently shuttering them, and leaving Iowa's seniors with nowhere to go," Braley added.
Iowa's 19 SSA field offices are located in Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Burlington, Coralville, Davenport, Ottumwa, Council Bluffs, Creston, Des Moines, Ames, Carroll, Ft. Dodge, Mason City, Sioux City, Spencer, and Storm Lake.
Braley's legislation has been endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, Social Security Works, and The Strengthen Social Security Coalition.
Over 450,000 Iowa seniors received Social Security benefits in 2013.
A link to Braley's legislation is available online HERE.
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