the Globe Gazette - Social Security Drops Plan to Limit Face to Face Services

News Article

By James Q. Lynch

In the face of growing opposition to changes that Iowa congressmen said could lead to the closure of field offices, the Social Security Administration said Thursday it will continue to provide benefit verification letters -- a service requested last year by millions of Americans and tens of thousands of Iowans.

First District Rep. Bruce Braley said Thursday the Social Security Administration decision to continue face-to-face service "represents a big win for the tens of thousands of Iowa seniors that depend on this service."

The Social Security Administration had proposed that beginning next month it would no longer issue Social Security number printouts in its field offices. In October, the field offices would provide benefit verification letters only in emergency situations. Social Security's decision will delay this cut indefinitely.

More than two dozen Democrats from over a dozen states -- and one Republican -- and the support of national organizations for legislation to delay the implementation of changes that he said would lead to the closure of some of the 19 Iowa field offices.

"Until the administration shows me how this cut will save taxpayers money and how they'll prevent harm to Iowans who depend on this service, I'm going to continue to oppose it," Braley said.

In Iowa, where 450,000 people receive Social Security benefits, field offices are located in Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Burlington, Coralville, Davenport, Ottumwa, Council Bluffs, Creston, Des Moines, Ames, Carroll, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Sioux City, Spencer, and Storm Lake.

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