McDonald Rivet Demands Clarity On Future of Saginaw Social Security Administration Office
SAGINAW— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) sent a letter to the General Services Administration (GSA), demanding clarity on the future of the Social Security Administration field office in Saginaw.
On March 4th, the GSA published a “Non-core property list” on its official website, identifying properties for disposal. This list included the Social Security field office in Saginaw. The GSA removed this list from its website on March 5th. The GSA has failed to provide any information as to why this property was identified or what the timeline for disposing of this property would be.
Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s letter reads, in part, “My office frequently directs constituents experiencing difficulties to the Saginaw field office, because the staff are effective, and the in-person assistance is especially helpful for residents who are elderly or disabled. This threatened closure would create barriers for my constituents, limiting their access to timely and easily accessible support for their benefits. Every day, I hear from residents who are scared of losing their Social Security benefits due to the comments and actions made by this Administration. The GSA's haphazard actions have only amplified the panic and fear in my community, calling into question whether or not people will still be able to receive their benefits.
“Furthermore, my concerns are magnified by the Administration’s rhetoric labeling the Social Security benefits program as a “Ponzi scheme” and a “scam,” along with proposals to restrict claims processing and direct-deposit bank account transactions over the phone. According to recent reports, elderly and disabled people would be directed to in-person field offices, yet those offices, like the one we have in Saginaw, are being targeted for disposal. These attempts to blatantly restrict access to benefits would cause harm to my constituents, many of whom cannot afford it.”
A copy of the letter can be found here.