Congress: Fix Social Security’s customer service!

The Social Security administration announced that call wait times and waiting periods for disability claims may increase — even after Congress boosted the administration’s budget by $785 MILLION dollars to help resolve this very issue.

It’s outrageous. We contribute to Social Security with every paycheck, and we expect it to be responsive to us on the benefits and services we have earned and need.

Tell your member of Congress to exercise more oversight on the Social Security Administration and improve customer service NOW!

RECIPIENTS:

Your Members of Congress

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Your Message

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Dear Decision Maker,

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As your constituent and an AARP member, I ask that you increase your oversight of the Social Security Administration.

Despite a $785 million boost in funding from Congress, the Social Security Administration’s customer service is not expected to improve, according to the administration’s operating plan for 2023.

Average call wait times are expected to increase to 35 minutes. In 2021, the Social Security Administration’s Inspector General reported that almost half of the 151 million calls to the national 1-800-number and field offices went unanswered. This has to change sooner rather than later.

In addition, the monthly average time to process an initial disability claim is expected to jump to 450 days, depriving workers and their families of their benefits when they need them most. More than 10,000 people a year die waiting for a disability decision. Half of these individuals would have received a benefit. It’s unacceptable.

The Social Security Administration says they are at their lowest staffing level in 25 years, and that affects the nearly 68 million Americans served by this system. Older Americans, those with disabilities, and their families deserve service when they need it, but instead are frustrated by the continued shortfalls at the agency.

Congress answered the call to increase funding to improve customer service. Please see the improvements through and prioritize fixing these issues with oversight of the Social Security Administration.

Thank you,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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