West Des Moines, Iowa — An Iowa Congresswoman says after fielding complaints from constituents waiting for answers from the Social Security Administration, she’s introduced a bill requiring more staff be assigned to answer phone calls.
In-person appointments at local Social Security offices have been cancelled during the pandemic and Congresswoman Cindy Axne says many Iowans cannot connect online for a virtual appointment.
Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says she’s heard from constituents who’ve waited on hold for hours, but never reached a real person and instead waded through recorded messages to try to find answers.
The Social Security’s toll-free automated hotline is meant to connect callers with a real person who works in a nearby Social Security office, but Axne says that’s not happening. Axne’s bill directs the Social Security Administration to assign more staff to answer phones Monday through Friday during regular business hours — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging has endorsed Axne’s bill. Joe Sample, the group’s executive director, says many older adults, especially those in rural Iowa, may not have access to the internet.
Two other Democrats in the House are joining Axne’s call for more Social Security staff to answer the telephones.
