WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Congressman Dave Loebsack, and Congressman Bruce Braley today urged the Administration to reconsider its proposed closure of the Clinton field office. In late June, the SSA informed members of Congress and officials in Clinton of their plans to close the field office this September. This office currently serves the 49,000 residents of Clinton County, including over 10,000 current Social Security beneficiaries, who would have to travel to Davenport to visit a Social Security office if the closure goes forward.
"We are very concerned with this proposed closure and urge you to reconsider," wrote the lawmakers. "The number of visitors to the Clinton office has increased each of the last three years, from 180 visitors per week in 2009 to 210 in 2012. Many of these individuals would have to travel up to 40 miles further to the Davenport office. In addition, by consolidating these offices, the number or Iowans who have to use the new Davenport office will now exceed the national average population served by a field office.
"While we understand the budget constraints facing the agency, we are particularly concerned with the impact this will have on the ability of low-income and disabled residents to communicate with the Social Security Administration," they concluded.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
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