Sen. Scott to SSA: “Reopen Offices to the Public”

Senator Tim Scott and his fellow Republican, Mike Crapo of Idaho, have sent a letter to the acting Social Security commissioner asking to immediately reopen SSA’s field offices to the public. In March of last year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) suspended in-person services because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter from the two Senators stated that the suspension “created a disruption to the millions of new applicants and beneficiaries receiving Social Security benefits.” According to Scott’s office, the disruptions included challenges for individuals, especially seniors in rural areas, who do not have reliable telephone or internet access.

The South Carolina lawmaker further noted that SSA reportedly sent a re-entry plan to the Office of Management and Budget in July, but has failed to fully reopen offices to the public.