Bill > HR7228

This bill, titled the Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026, aims to improve procedures for closing or reducing access to Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices. It mandates that the Commissioner of Social Security must maintain a sufficient number of field offices and personnel to provide comprehensive, convenient, and accessible services, meet current and projected workloads, and minimize wait times, ensuring personnel levels are no less than those on January 1, 2025. Before any field office can be permanently closed, consolidated, or have its public access limited, the SSA must follow a strict procedure that includes providing public notification at least 30 days in advance, notifying Congress and local governments 180 days prior, holding at least two public hearings to gather comments and present reasons for the action, and publishing a report on how public input was considered. The Inspector General of the SSA must also review health and safety claims and confirm compliance with all applicable laws before any closure or reduction in services can take effect, with a moratorium on such actions until the SSA fully implements these new procedures, except in specific public health emergencies. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to ensure the Social Security Advisory Board considers the impact of field office closures on vulnerable populations, and requires a report to Congress detailing past closures, the role of the General Services Administration (GSA) in finding alternatives, and a plan to ensure sufficient resources and address future demand for field office services.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7228/all-info