Lawmakers Push for Social Security Satellite in Long Beach

U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have urged the Social Security Administration to open a part-time satellite in Long Beach after the federal agency shut its doors at 25-27 E. Park Ave. on Feb. 10.

After Congress slashed nearly $1 billion from the SSA’ budget, the agency was forced to close many offices across the nation, scale back hours, consolidate operations and transfer services to surrounding locations.

In letter to SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue, dated Feb. 22, the senators stated that by closing the Long Beach office, tens of thousands of residents, including many seniors, must now travel to the nearest offices in Freeport, Mineola and Far Rockaway to receive benefits—including retirement benefits and Medicare discounts on prescription drugs—and that the closure will heavily inconvenience and potentially prevent beneficiaries from being able seek help or acquire their benefits. Schumer and Gillibrand urged Astrue to work with city officials to try to open a local part-time satellite office.

“While we agree that cost-saving measures should be implemented throughout the agency, we cannot leave those most vulnerable without access to these resources and believe that a satellite office, operating on a part-time basis, should be discussed with the City of Long Beach,” their letter reads.

According to the City of Long Beach, the local office had eight employees who served about 21,000 beneficiaries, while the Freeport office has 26 employees, serving more than 112,000 beneficiaries.

The senators’ letter also noted that Long Beach is located on a barrier island and “its residents need to rely on personal transportation to access the mainland of Long Island,” and that, according to the U.S. Census, 16 percent of Long Beach population is over the age of 65, three percentage points above the New York State average.  

Days before the Long Beach office was closed last month, the City Council released a statement that urged the SSA to keep it open. “We are extremely disappointed in their decision to route our residents to another location when they are in need of assistance, creating an unnecessary hardship,” Council President Adelson stated. “The SSA's decision was made completely independent of the city, and we are urging them to reconsider.”

John Shallman, the agency’s regional communications director, told the Long Beach Herald that the commissioner has yet to formally respond to the letter, and said he could not comment on whether the Astrue is considering the proposal.