Sullivan secures improved Social Security Administration service for Alaskans

Senator Dan Sullivan announced on June 11 that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has committed to a series of service improvements for Alaskans following meetings between the Senator and SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley.

Commissioner O’Malley penned a letter to Senator Sullivan, committing to increasing the number of virtual appointment days in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough starting in July, 2024. Commissioner O’Malley also said that out of the 20 new hires made for the Seattle region, five of those new hires will be placed in Alaska.

He also said that the SSA will launch a new awareness campaign to educate Alaskans about the availability of virtual SSA services.

“My team and I have heard the frustrations of many Alaskans encountering unacceptable hurdles and delays as they try to schedule appointments and secure the Social Security benefits they are entitled to,” said Senator Sullivan. “I brought these issues directly to Commissioner O’Malley on multiple occasions, including prior to his confirmation. I also emphasized the fact that, unlike a state like Maryland or Delaware, Alaska has hundreds of communities not connected by roads—and, the Alaska communities that do have road access can still be hundreds of miles from the nearest field office.”

In his letter, Commissioner O’Malley writes that he would like to see changes implemented earlier than July, the SSA has faced a hiring freeze.

“I would like to do more and do it more quickly, but the agency’s staffing has been reduced to a 25-year low,” he wrote, adding, “We are nonetheless committed to making these changes to improve service and better meet the needs of the individuals in Alaska.” He went on to thank Congress for helping roll back the hiring freeze and add limited staff to the SSA field offices.

“I commend Commissioner O’Malley for recognizing Alaska’s unique challenges and following through with policy changes that will better deliver on this essential function and responsibility of the federal government. While the increase in services and new SSA staffers are important steps, there’s more work to do. I will also continue to press for additional field office locations in Alaska, especially in regions that have experienced significant population growth, like the Mat-Su.”

Alaska is currently served by three SSA field offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, and five virtual appointment centers in Nome, Kodiak, Kenai, Ketchikan, and Wasilla.