Member-only story
SSA Must Close Its Doors to the Public, For Now
Keeping field offices open to the public puts employees and communities unnecessarily in harm’s way during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The world’s population is being gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, which is currently transmitting by community spread in numerous parts of the United States.
State and local officials across the country are mandating restaurants and bars either shut down completely or provide carry-out service only. Starbucks is adopting a “to-go” model: removing tables from stores so customers pick up beverages and food items to take elsewhere. Concert tours and sporting events are cancelled. And yet, if you look at federal offices across the country, there has been little to no change to regular work schedules.
In Social Security field offices, it’s business as usual — long lines, crowded waiting areas, and no more telework for employees.
I worked in SSA field offices for the past six years, all on the eastern seaboard. These offices have staffed anywhere from ten to 50 people. They have offered options to schedule appointments to file for benefits either over the phone or in the local office. Other ways to contact SSA is through an online account, over the phone to the 1–800 number or…
