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facebookCongressional Budget Cuts Force Reduced Public Hours Starting This Week
NEW YORK – Congressman Charles Rangel rebuked House Republicans for falling $1 billion short in the Social Security Administration’s appropriations request for Fiscal Year 2011 earlier this year which will leave the already cash-strapped agency with fewer operating resources, causing Social Security field offices across the nation to close half an hour early effective August 15, 2011.
“As a result of the Republican cuts to the Social Security Administration over half a million new retirees, disabled workers, and survivors could be forced into a backlog before they could receive the benefits they have rightfully earned," said Congressman Rangel. "Tens of thousands will be severely impacted in New York. In my district alone, there are over 138,000 OASDI and SSI beneficiaries administered by three Social Security field offices that will now be placed at a severe disadvantage."
Due to significant cuts in its operating budget, Social Security field offices will now close 30 minutes early each business day, operating from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as opposed to 4 p.m.
While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will makes it impossible for the Social Security Administration to provide the amount of overtime needed for the employees to service the public as it has in the past.
“For years, Republicans have tried to cut, weaken, or eliminate Social Security. Social Security has not added a dime to our nation's deficit, yet its beneficiaries are seeing limited service as a result of the drastic cuts proposed by the Republicans. America’s seniors deserve better and I will continue to stand up and oppose such cuts to Social Security.”
For more information about Social Security services and office hours, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Locations of Social Security Field Offices in the District:
Harlem
The Cav Building
55 West 125th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10027
East Harlem
345 East 102nd Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10029
Washington Heights
42-92 Broadway
New York, NY 10033
