Almost anyone who needs individualized help from Social Security can tell you that the delays in getting a decision can be long and frustrating.  Many people wait at a Social Security office hours to speak to someone, applications for disability benefits can be delayed for years, and reaching a Social Security representative by phone can sometimes seem impossible. 

Clearly, while Social Security often is asked to assist people when they need help the most, it is too often slow to react, and these delays can be disastrous for individuals and families.  In response to these delays, I have joined several other Senators in writing to the Appropriations Subcommittee that considers the Social Security Administration’s administrative budget to request additional funding to help cut the enormous waiting times associated with benefit decisions.

When Social Security was created as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal in 1935, it offered new hope to millions of Americans.  Today, it still serves to offer retirement and disability benefits, offering people a small but steady income in their retirement years or after they can no longer work.  This program, however, has fallen behind in its ability to respond to need.  You can count on me to continue to push for the changes needed to allow Social Security to react quickly and accurately to claims and other applications.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator