Sponsors (2)
The bill expands and codifies multi-channel and multilingual access and transparency for Social Security beneficiaries — improving convenience and access for many — while increasing costs, administrative burdens, and fraud/identity risks that could divert resources or harm vulnerable recipients if not mitigated.
All Social Security claimants — especially seniors and people with disabilities — can apply for and manage benefits by phone, online, or in person, improving access and convenience for a large group of beneficiaries.
Non‑English speakers (including Spanish speakers and other language communities) gain better access to SSA services through required multilingual phone support, reducing language barriers to benefits.
Beneficiaries who need to update payment information — notably seniors and low‑income recipients — can change direct deposit by phone, saving travel time and out-of-pocket costs.
Seniors and people with disabilities face higher risk of fraud and identity theft if phone-based applications and payment updates are not secured adequately.
Taxpayers and the SSA budget could face higher operating costs from implementing and maintaining nationwide multilingual phone and in-person services, potentially diverting funds from other programs or improvements.
Mandating continued in-person field office availability may slow SSA modernization and require sustaining underused offices in low-demand areas, imposing ongoing facility and staffing costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires SSA to provide nationwide phone (multilingual), online, and in-person access for Title II and XVI applicants and mandates GAO and annual reporting on access and usage.
Introduced June 3, 2025 by Josh Riley · Last progress June 3, 2025
Requires the Social Security Administration to make sure people applying for or seeking services under Social Security retirement/disability (Title II) and Supplemental Security Income (Title XVI) can use three service channels: a toll-free phone line, an internet portal, and in-person field offices. The phone line must operate nationwide, support English and Spanish (and other languages as needed), include identity and security safeguards, and allow starting/completing applications and requesting or verifying direct deposit changes by phone. Orders a Government Accountability Office report within one year on SSA's implementation and then requires the Commissioner to send annual reports to Congress about channel usage, phone wait times, security measures, barriers, and plans to improve access and effectiveness.