Social Security’s Problems Aired in Subcommittee Hearing
Citing continuing difficulties experienced by the public and by Congress itself in accessing information and services from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) presented opening remarks in today’s Social Security Subcommittee formal hearing on complaints about the quality of Social Security’s customer service. Rep. Hern reported that “…over the past two years, the American public has struggled to get in touch with the Social Security Administration for even the most basic of services,” and expressed optimism over the opportunity to work on a bipartisan basis to address the barriers faced by SSA.
One of the significant hurdles, Hearn noted, is the level of complexity inherent in SSA processes and policies. In describing this barrier, he referred to the length of time it can take SSA employees–up to three years–to become productive in service to SSA’s constituents. Technology deficiencies were also cited as barriers faced by SSA in achieving its mission.
Read the GOP Ways and Means Committee press release on Rep. Hern’s remarks here...