Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026 | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 7228Social Welfare

Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026

INTRO JAN 22· LAST ACTION JAN 22

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because local Social Security offices are crucial for many Americans, especially those who are elderly, have disabilities, or face language or technology barriers. If this bill becomes law, it would make it much harder for the Social Security Administration to close these offices or reduce their services, ensuring people can continue to get in-person help with their benefits, applications, and questions. This could mean shorter wait times and more accessible support for vital services like retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

Without this bill, the SSA would have more flexibility to close offices or cut staff, which could lead to longer wait times, force more people to use online or phone services (which aren't always suitable for everyone), and potentially make it harder for vulnerable populations to access their benefits. Voters should care because it directly impacts how easily they, their family, or their neighbors can get help with essential government services that support millions of households.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to maintain a sufficient number of field offices and staff to provide comprehensive, convenient, and accessible services, meet workloads, and minimize wait times.

This ensures that local Social Security offices remain adequately staffed and open, making it easier for people to get the help they need in person.

PROVISION 02

Establishes a minimum staffing level for field offices, prohibiting the number of personnel from falling below the level on January 1, 2025.

This prevents future cuts to staff that could lead to reduced services or longer wait times at local offices.

PROVISION 03

Mandates a detailed, public procedure that the SSA must follow before closing, consolidating, or significantly reducing services at any field office, including a 180-day notification period to the public, Congress, and local governments.

This gives communities significant advance warning and a chance to provide input on decisions that affect their access to vital services.

PROVISION 04

Requires the SSA to hold at least two public hearings in the affected area and accept written comments, followed by a public report responding to all feedback, before any office action takes effect.

This ensures transparency and gives the public a direct voice in decisions about their local Social Security offices.

PROVISION 05

Requires the Social Security Administration's Inspector General to review any proposed office closure or service reduction before it can go into effect.

This adds an independent oversight layer to decisions about local office accessibility, ensuring accountability.

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JAN 22

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 22

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 7228

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedJan 22, 2026

Last actionJan 22, 2026

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2026

House BillHR 7228Social Welfare

Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026

INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 22, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

9 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

This ensures that local Social Security offices remain adequately staffed and open, making it easier for people to get the help they need in person.

high

Establishes a minimum staffing level for field offices, prohibiting the number of personnel from falling below the level on January 1, 2025.

This prevents future cuts to staff that could lead to reduced services or longer wait times at local offices.

high

This gives communities significant advance warning and a chance to provide input on decisions that affect their access to vital services.

med

Requires the SSA to hold at least two public hearings in the affected area and accept written comments, followed by a public report responding to all feedback, before any office action takes effect.

This ensures transparency and gives the public a direct voice in decisions about their local Social Security offices.

med

Requires the Social Security Administration's Inspector General to review any proposed office closure or service reduction before it can go into effect.

This adds an independent oversight layer to decisions about local office accessibility, ensuring accountability.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

January 1, 2025 (baseline date for personnel levels)

Number of personnel assigned to field offices must be maintained at a level not less than that on a specific date.

Not later than 180 days before the effective date of the action.

Commissioner shall promulgate a public notification of anticipated action to close or reduce access to a field office.

As soon as practicable and not later than 180 days before the effective date of the action.

Commissioner shall provide written notification to each member of Congress and Senator whose constituents are served by the affected field office.

As soon as practicable and not later than 180 days before the effective date of the action.

Commissioner shall provide written notification to any unit of local government within the service area of the affected field office.

Not earlier than 30 days and not later than 120 days after a public notification is published.

Commissioner shall hold not fewer than two public hearings in the geographic area served by the field office.

Not later than 15 days before the effective date of the action.

Commissioner shall publish a written report on the website of the Social Security Administration describing the action and responding to public comments.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Social Security Administration (SSA): The U.S. government agency that manages Social Security, providing retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.
Field office: A local office maintained by the Social Security Administration where people can go in person to apply for benefits, ask questions, and get help with their Social Security accounts.
Commissioner: The head official of the Social Security Administration.
Public health emergency: A situation declared by the U.S. government where a disease or health condition poses a significant public health risk, allowing for certain temporary measures or exemptions.
Inspector General: An independent watchdog within a government agency whose job is to audit programs, investigate fraud and abuse, and promote efficiency and effectiveness.
Title VII of the Social Security Act: A specific section of the broader law that established Social Security, which this bill proposes to amend to add new requirements.
Workload: The amount of work or number of cases that an office or its employees need to process within a given time.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JAN 22

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 22

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

INTROREFERRAL

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Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026

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Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026

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