Alaska Delegation Demands Plan for Ketchikan Social Security Office

Statement

Alaska's Congressional Delegation called on the Social Security Administration today, asking the SSA to open their books and explain the rationale and plan for the proposed closure of Ketchikan's social security office. The Ketchikan branch shutdown allegedly would save the federal government $100,000, but the lawmakers write in a letter (attached) that the Ketchikan community and Southeast Alaska deserve access to services and a fuller explanation and information on the path forward. Senators Murkowski and Begich, as well as Representative Young write:

"We question whether the closure of the Ketchikan office is the most effective course of action or whether other measures may save similar amounts without negatively impacting Alaskans. To that end, we urge you to consider all feasible alternatives to closing this office…

"The SSA must consider all options to avoid negatively impacting Ketchikan and surrounding communities, such as maintaining the existing office, sharing an employee with another federal agency in shared federal space, sending an SSA employee to Ketchikan for regular office hours in an existing federal building, and establishing a virtual SSA capability in Ketchikan so that individuals can have a face-to-face conversation with SSA employees when necessary."

Source