Overview
- Nextgov/FCW reported SSA is aiming for no more than 15 million field office visits in fiscal 2026, about half of last year’s total of more than 31 million.
- Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Bernie Sanders, and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote to Commissioner Frank Bisignano warning the move could function as a back-door cut by limiting access to services.
- The lawmakers requested specifics on which services will be available online or by phone, whether walk-in help will continue, appointment availability, and current wait times, with responses due Jan. 6, 2026.
- The push follows staffing changes that include a plan to shed 7,000 workers, nearly 2,000 fewer employees in field offices, and at least 1,000 staff shifted to phone duties, with reports of rural office closures and lengthy waits.
- An SSA spokesperson said field offices remain the frontline and that the agency will align goals with customer preferences, while internal targets include scheduling appointments within 30 days and cutting in-person waits to 20 minutes.