Blaming a funding shortfall, the Social Security Administration this month plans to reduce the hours at most of its 1,200 field offices in Arkansas and across the country for the second time in less than two years.
Starting Nov. 19, the offices will close to the public at 3 p.m. instead of 3:30 p.m. Beginning in January, the offices will close at noon on Wednesdays.
In news releases this week, the agency said employees will work regular hours, but the earlier closing time will allow them to “complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring thecost of overtime.”
In addition, the offices will be closed to the public Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving. Employees will work that day to reduce “backlogged workloads.”
The reduced hours will not immediately be implemented in New Jersey, New York City or Long Island, N.Y., “due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy,” the agency said, referring to the storm that struck the East Coast on Oct. 29.
The agency said the reduced hours are necessary because of insufficient funding provided under the legislation that extended funding for federal agencies until March 27.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington, D.C., research and policy institute, the resolution increased the Social Security Administration’s funding by an annual level of about $70 million.
President Barack Obama had requested an increase for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 of about $300 million.
The agency’s budget the previous fiscal year was about $11.5 billion.
“The significantly reduced funding provided by Congress under the continuing resolution for the first six months of fiscal year makes it impossible for the agency to provide the overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has done in the past,” the Social Security Administration said in a news release.
The agency added that people can apply for benefits and make other requests through its website, www.socialsecurity.gov, or by calling (800) 772-1213.
The Social Security Administration is among agencies across the federal government that will face automatic spending cuts in January under a law passed last year. Obama and Congressionalleaders have vowed to reach a deal to avoid at least some of the cuts.
A spokesman for Arkansas’ U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, a Democrat, said the senator plans to question the agency about the need to cut back its hours.
“We think it’s fine that they’re thinking outside the box for ways to reduce costs,” the spokesman, Michael Teague, said. But, he said, “We want to really look at, is that really saving them money?”
The Social Security Administration also reduced its hours in August 2011. Until then, the offices had stayed open until 4 p.m.
Last year, the agency stopped mailing annual statements to workers who have contributed to Social Security, a move it said would save $70 million. In February, the agency resumed mailing statements to those age 60and over who are not already receiving benefits.
U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin of Little Rock, a Republican, said in a statement the cutbacks announced this week reflect “the perilous situation our country faces, and they are just the beginning if we don’t get our spending under control.”
Fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers said in a statement, “The federal government must tighten its belt and reform programs like Social Security to ensure their sustainability.”
The congressmen said they would help constituents who need help applying for benefits.
Calls to the Social Security Administration’s regional and national media offices weren’t returned Thursday.
The agency handles claims and appeals for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits. It has offices in Batesville, Blytheville, Conway, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Forrest City, Fort Smith, Harrison, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mountain Home, Sherwood, Pine Bluff, Russellville, Searcy and West Memphis.
According to the agency’s website, 647,077 retired or disabled Arkansans or their relatives were receiving Social Security benefits as of December 2011.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9 on 11/09/2012