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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release

$480 Million Increase For Social Security Administration is Progress After Years of Cuts

WASHINGTON

The following is a statement from Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works, in reaction to the $480 million increase in funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the omnibus appropriations bill:

"For the last decade, Congress has starved SSA of funding, making it increasingly difficult for Americans to access their earned Social Security benefits. Thanks to the efforts of Social Security champions in Congress and activists around the country, this bill takes a step in the right direction.

But this funding increase should be only the first step. Ten thousand Americans are turning age 65 every day. SSA should be opening new field offices, not simply maintaining them, and certainly not closing them.

The money spent to administer Social Security comes directly from Social Security's trust funds, which have a combined $2.8 trillion surplus. This $2.8 trillion is money the American people have paid to ensure that they receive their benefits along with the first-class service that they deserve. Congress should unshackle SSA, and allow it to spend what it takes to ensure that Americans can receive timely service at conveniently located Social Security field offices and on the telephone."

Social Security Works' mission is to: Protect and improve the economic security of disadvantaged and at-risk populations; Safeguard the economic security of those dependent, now or in the future, on Social Security; and Maintain Social Security as a vehicle of social justice.