Congressman John Larson seems to have rediscovered the fact that he's the Chairman of the House Social Security Subcommittee. He's actually sent a letter to the Commissioner of Social Security asking for a response to the recent report by the Social Security Advisory Board on field office closures. Maybe someone should tell him that he can schedule a hearing to really get some answers.
What is the problem with Larson? Did he get stuck with a Subcommittee he isn't interested in chairing?
Democratic party needs to recommit to defending this program whole heartedly. Democratic voters need to demand it. Should be part of a litmus test to run for office for office as a democrat. Time to repair the damage done by decades of republican political philosophy. This is a beans and cornbread essential American safety net. Time to proudly express support for it.
Perhaps small field offices with limited staff are needed to assist people who need face to face assistance. However, having field office staff process things like 1696 forms and initial applications is extremely inefficient. These things sometimes sit on someone's desk for months (yes, I have proof that has happened multiple times). A centralized processing center, perhaps by region or state, would be much more efficient. But, these Congressman want these jobs kept in their districts, so they are going to push to keep those tasks in the field offices even though it is wasteful, inefficient, delays case processing for claimants who desperately need benefits. We know where their priority is, don't we - VOTES, of course. That's just the way government works though, isn't it?
Democratic party needs to recommit to defending this program whole heartedly. Democratic voters need to demand it. Should be part of a litmus test to run for office for office as a democrat. Time to repair the damage done by decades of republican political philosophy. This is a beans and cornbread essential American safety net. Time to proudly express support for it.
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What @8:57 said!
ReplyDeleteLetter to the Commissioner: https://gwenmoore.house.gov/uploadedfiles/field_office_closures_letter_.pdf
ReplyDeleteSSAB Report:
https://www.ssab.gov/research/service-to-the-public/
Perhaps small field offices with limited staff are needed to assist people who need face to face assistance. However, having field office staff process things like 1696 forms and initial applications is extremely inefficient. These things sometimes sit on someone's desk for months (yes, I have proof that has happened multiple times). A centralized processing center, perhaps by region or state, would be much more efficient. But, these Congressman want these jobs kept in their districts, so they are going to push to keep those tasks in the field offices even though it is wasteful, inefficient, delays case processing for claimants who desperately need benefits. We know where their priority is, don't we - VOTES, of course. That's just the way government works though, isn't it?
ReplyDelete@956 Centralized processing like payment centers?
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