Report from Congressman's survey shows 70 percent of Iowans opposed to cuts that begin August 1
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley's (IA-01) office today issued a report that included the results of a survey of over 2000 Iowans who shared their opinions about upcoming cuts to Social Security field offices in Iowa. Sixty three percent of respondents had used their local Social Security field office, and 70 percent of respondents were opposed to upcoming cuts in services.
Beginning in October 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA) planned to stop providing benefit verification letters in local field offices?however, after significant opposition from Braley?SSA announced that those cuts would be indefinitely delayed. Many seniors rely on these verification letters for a variety of services. Last year alone, millions of Americans used SSA offices to request benefit letters.
However, SSA also stated their intention to move forward implementing their plan to eliminate the issuance of Social Security number printouts face-to-face in its field offices beginning August 1?a cut Braley continues to oppose.
"The overwhelming majority of Iowans don't support these cuts?and they shouldn't?there's no indication they save taxpayers money or that those that need them won't be greatly inconvenienced," Braley said. "We were successful in eliminating one of these senseless cuts, and I'll be providing this survey information to the Social Security Administration so they can better understand how Iowans feel about these cuts."
These survey results stem from a call Braley made for Iowans to share their opinions on these cuts and their experiences with their local SSA field offices.
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.
Over 450,000 Iowa seniors received Social Security benefits in 2013.
Earlier this year, Braley introduced the Seniors' Access to Social Security Act, which would prevent cuts for one year, during which time Braley would seek verification that the proposed service cuts will not adversely affect Iowa's seniors and will save taxpayers money. This bipartisan legislation quickly gathered the support of nearly two dozen lawmakers.
Colvin's response came after Braley wrote the SSA Commissioner asking her to provide a series of answers about the proposed cuts, including whether an analysis of cost savings has been done and if public input was solicited prior to the proposed cuts. Braley also sought information from Colvin on how Iowans seeking these services would be informed of cuts.
In June, Braley joined a Congressional push to prevent the elimination of the SSA services in a letter to the head of the SSA, noting that it's vital that seniors be able to receive these services in person especially given that telephone wait times for SSA services have risen drastically in the last year, and that many seniors lack internet access.
The report can be found online HERE:
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