We realize it may be a stretch for ordinary people to want to keep up with the comings and goings of the Social Security Administration, but sometimes circumstances permit where someone does want to follow the latest news regarding the agency due to a possible retirement or disability interest. This blog is an ongoing piecemeal of recent stories that have involved Social Security. Some are tidbits and some are important things that should be known in the world of retirement or disability and others are just interesting stories and nothing more.
Members of Congress Want Details On Reopening
In a bipartisan effort to get answers to when Social Security field offices might open up to the public to provide crucial services, U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-New York and U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-New York have called on the Social Security Administration to provide information on the agency’s plans to provide ongoing services to the public during the pandemic and to provide more information about when Social Security office may open again for in-person services.
Specifically, Katko, in a written letter to Kilolo Kijakazi, Social Security’s acting commissioner, the congressman wanted the following areas addressed.
With these concerns in mind, please respond to the following:
- What is SSA’s timeline and plan for reopening Social Security field offices?
- While we understand there are limited in person appointments available, what is the plan for expanding these appointments until SSA field offices reach full capacity?
- What precautions will SSA take to ensure the safety of staff and individuals seeking in-person services through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Your swift response to these important questions will help to alleviate the concerns of many Social Security beneficiaries across the country.
Speaking Of The Commissioner
On July 9, 2021 Andrew Saul was removed as commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Saul was replaced by Kilolo Kijakazi who is now serving as the agency’s acting commissioner with no news about President Joe Biden nominating a permanent replacement for the top job at Social Security. Having an acting commissioner at Social Security is not entirely a new thing. Prior to Donald Trump being elected President in 2016 Carolyn Colvin served as the agency’s acting commissioner through the end of Barack Obama’s administration. But, considering Biden has more than three years left on his term as president it may be time to have some stability at the top of the Social Security Administration in a permanent Social Security commissioner.
There have been several names that have been offered as possible nominations for a permanent Social Security commissioner, but Biden and his administration have been rather quiet on nominating a new commissioner. It might be that the Biden Administration is planning on taking its time with this nomination due to the uncertainty about when Social Security will finally open up field offices for service and the administration wants that action plan in place before nominating a new commissioner.
