Rep. Wild Raises Concerns Over SSA Inefficiencies, Highlights Challenges Faced by Vulnerable Constituents

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) sent a letter to Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Andrew Saul expressing concerns over challenges that have made it difficult for many in the PA-07 community to access the SSA services on which they rely. In the letter, Wild highlighted a number of challenges many of her most vulnerable constituents have faced in interfacing with Social Security Administration through this pandemic.

“The unprecedented volume of inquiries my office has received makes clear that there are too many people suffering because they cannot promptly access your hardworking staff, and when they do, constituents require more assistance than can be currently offered,” wrote Wild in the letter. “I would like to partner with SSA to seek operational changes designed to meet the unique service challenges required at this trying time.”

Throughout the course of this pandemic, Wild has heard from hundreds of Social Security program recipients in her community who have experienced substantial difficulty and confusion in accessing SSA services. Specifically, closed field offices, limited online services, long delays on the SSA’s 800 phone number, and limited in person appointments have created extensive barriers for older persons and people with disabilities to access critical SSA services. Additionally, the restarting of overpayment collection – including to low-income individuals who incurred them through no fault of their own – has caused increased financial anxiety for Pennsylvanians during this economic crisis.

“Unfortunately, problems with SSA lacking sufficient resources are not new, but this pandemic has only compounded existing issues,” Wild said. “Right now, I’m hearing from folks each and every day who have waited hours on the phone trying to file for the disability benefits they need to get by, or who are worried the overpayment fee they incurred, through no fault of their own, will cost them food on the table for weeks. We need to swiftly and comprehensively address all of these concerns as soon as possible to make sure our most vulnerable can access the services they are entitled to during this difficult time.”

Earlier this year, Wild played a pivotal role in securing a $100 million increase in House-passed Fiscal Year 2021 funding for the SSA to address long wait times and a backlog of disability hearings. Her letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting this increased funding for additional hires and resources to improve Administration efficiency, follows a 12 percent decline in funding for the SSA over the last decade, through a time when the number of individuals that are receiving benefits increased by 20 percent. As a result of inadequate budgets, SSA’s staffing has been cut, leading to lengthy wait times for service, including at SSA field offices, call centers, and disability hearing offices. Nationally, the average wait time for a Social Security Disability hearing is 15 months.

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

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