Congressman: Forcing Iowa's seniors to apply solely on online for services isn't fair
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today joined a Congressional push to prevent the elimination of services at Social Security Administration (SSA) offices around the country?including offices in Iowa.
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.
"Iowa has one of the highest senior populations in the country and forcing seniors?many of whom don't have internet access?away from their trusted SSA offices and toward an online only environment isn't the right thing to do," Braley said.
In a letter to the head of the SSA, Braley urged the agency to continue allowing seniors to request this vital information in person, noting that telephone wait times for SSA services have risen drastically in the last year, and that many seniors lack internet access.
"It is critical that the Social Security Administration reverse its decision to discontinue in-person access to benefit verification statements," the letter to SSA Administrator Carolyn Colvin reads.
Braley has consistently supported maintaining benefits to Social Security recipients, recently urging the Obama Administration to oppose proposed cuts to the program.
A copy of the letter is available online HERE.
###
