Sponsors (5)
The bill prioritizes preserving local, in-person Social Security access and transparency for vulnerable beneficiaries, at the cost of higher taxpayer expense, added administrative delay, and reduced agency flexibility to pursue efficiency reforms.
Seniors, people with disabilities, and limited-English speakers keep access to local in-person Social Security services, reducing travel burdens and wait times.
Field offices must be maintained at or above Jan 1, 2025 staffing/resource levels and reports must include plans to match prior-year service, preserving benefits processing capacity and timely service.
Requirements for public notice, hearings, IG review and detailed reporting increase transparency and local input about proposed closures or relocations, helping communities understand alternatives and participate.
Taxpayers could face higher costs to keep underused field offices open or to fund additional resources and expansions recommended by the reports.
The bill restricts SSA flexibility to consolidate offices, reallocate staff, or adopt centralized/online efficiencies, potentially blocking cost-saving operational changes.
Procedural requirements (180-day notices, hearings, IG review, required reports) create delays and administrative burdens that can slow necessary relocations, increase agency costs, and divert staff time from service delivery.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Mandates SSA maintain field offices and staffing levels, requires notice/hearings/IG review before reducing in-person access, expands Advisory Board considerations, and requires reporting and a 10-year plan.
Official title: To amend title VII of the Social Security Act to improve the Social Security Administration's procedures to close or reduce access to field offices, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 22, 2026 by Gwendolynne S. Moore · Last progress January 22, 2026
Requires the Social Security Administration to maintain a sufficient number of field offices and staff to provide in-person services, preserve staffing at or above January 1, 2025, levels, and follow a detailed notice, hearing, reporting, and Inspector General review process before closing, consolidating, or otherwise reducing in-person office access. Exempts actions during an active public health emergency and imposes a limited moratorium until the SSA Inspector General certifies implementation of the new rules. Directs the SSA to report to congressional tax-writing committees within 180 days listing field office closures in the prior five years, explaining reasons and impacts, documenting GSA’s role in relocations, and providing a 10-year plan to ensure offices have resources to meet demand. Also expands Social Security Advisory Board guidance to require consideration of impacts on people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and other vulnerable populations when assessing service quality.