Social Security is a massive program with many moving parts — and the ultimate goal is to get those parts to come together for the good of the program’s users.

While we here at NORA have been working hard to campaign for fair yearly Cost-of-Living-Adjustments (COLAs), we know that the number on your check is only part of the Social Security experience.

There’s also the matter of working with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to get your questions answered and your concerns addressed. Amidst a growing number of concerns about this agency’s performance and capabilities, it seems Congress may finally be ready to act.

Why is Social Security Support Struggling?

The SSA has been losing funding for over a decade, setting them up for problems that are manifesting before our eyes and ears today. Seniors have been kept waiting for weeks and been on hold for days at a time trying to get the help they need.

It isn’t just seniors either — some people struggle to contact this organization for help with things like getting a new Social Security card. And given that the number of retirees and Social Security beneficiaries has greatly increased over the past decade, it’s spread support even thinner.

Add in the backlog of requests that piled up during COVID-caused shutdowns, and the support side of this program is in serious need of help.

What Changes Could Help Social Security?

Some say that additional funding is vital for securing the future of this program, not just in terms of making sure checks go out, but making sure the program’s users can get the help they need promptly.

Another suggested change would raise the requirements before field offices can be closed. After all, everyone is required to pay into this program — so why shouldn’t these support services be considered essential for all?

We’ll be right here to report on the changes to Social Security support services and more. Learn about our legal fight for retirees here, then follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more content.