From a press release:
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R, NY-24) today called on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide information on the agency’s plans to improve access to essential services through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort comes amid continued disruptions to Social Security services due to the ongoing closure of SSA field offices in Central New York and across the country. Rep. Katko led this bipartisan effort alongside U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D, NY-4).
...Rep. Katko today urged SSA to provide requested information on its timeline for reopening Social Security field offices and expanding in-person appointments, as well as safety precautions the agency will take to protect staff and visitors during the pandemic. ...
Yawn. I am tired of it and i dont care one way or the other anymore.
ReplyDeleteInterview next week and if things go good, by Feb I will not have to deal with SSA again until I retire, and I will do that online.
ReplyDeleteTheir letter failed to note that COVID19 deaths and hospitalizations per day are now higher than ever. The Omicron variant has resulted in more companies and offices closing down the last week. My library has changed all scheduled meetings to ZOOM.
It would not be safe to reopen SSA offices now, at the peak of this Covid19 surge. The Omicron variant is so easy to catch, even for those who have been vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteThere really cannot be an exact timeline for reopening, until we see if the COVID19 situation better. My guess is late spring, but we should wait until we have a better picture.
The FOs will not reopen until the pandemic is over. That is truth of the matter.
DeleteWe are 22 months into this so this shouldn't be a particularly controversial statement.
I just want them to answer the damn phone! Reaching any of the field offices is near impossible.
ReplyDeleteReps are being told they can schedule for in-person hearings starting in March. Central Kentucky.
ReplyDelete12:38 - that is for management judges only, and on a subset of cases.
ReplyDeleteIf ssa employees and their union had their way they would never go back. Good for John Katko!
ReplyDeleteSo 5:21, blame it on employees and their union. Nice try. How about blaming it on the pandemic? And management decisions on how to handle phone calls and paperwork submissions. Employees have no control over those decisions.
ReplyDelete