A few months ago there were rumors swirling that Social Security was toying with the idea of closing the Decorah Iowa field office and now one member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, is looking into the matter.
A news release from Finkenauer’s office Oct. 25 indicates that community members reached out to the legislator because they were informed the Social Security office in Decorah would be closing, but Social Security has not issued any statements confirming the closure. In response to her constituents’ concerns, Finkenauer sent a letter to Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul seeking answers. A portion of Finkenauer’s letter is below.
“I not only ask that you provide additional information on the circumstances surrounding the closure but urge you to consider ways to ensure that the in-person services provided at this field office remain available in Northeast Iowa…” Finkenauer wrote to Saul, “Social Security is a promise to the American people and part of that means ensuring that these critical services remain available to those who need them.”
The Decorah Social Security office not only services Iowa residents, but also some residents in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Social Security has faced backlash from politicians and the public in the past after closing other Social Security field offices with little advanced notice, which some are concerned Social Security is doing again.
Community members informed Finkenauer that the potential plan was to close the Decorah office and explore ways to offer remote videoconferencing services. Since the letter was sent to Saul October 25 there has been no official word on Social Security’s future plans. For more information related to Finkenauer’s involvement in the matter and the official release, which details a response from Decorah’s Mayor Lorraine Borowski, can be found here.
