25 Jan Social Security Offices Planning to Reopen in Spring of 2022
After some deliberation, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will resume hearing in-person disability claims at some locations. This change comes after two years of remote hearings and will begin in the spring of 2022.
The Social Security Administration’s offices closed on March 17th, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All services offered by the SSA have been remote since the closing, with exceptions for critical cases.
In November of 2021, the SSA announced that they were planning to reopen their offices as early as January of 2022. However, this start date was pushed back due to disagreements between the SSA and unions that represent the agency’s workforce.
The two groups came to an agreement last week for 1,200 offices to reopen, depending on the severity of the pandemic. This reopening is tentative for March of 2022.
Updated Plans for Spring of 2022
By allowing some time before the tentative reopening date, the two groups are able to track the conditions of the pandemic. The agreement between the union and the agency is that they can postpone the reopening date if things appear to be getting worse.
The two groups have also updated the Covid-19 health and safety procedures. The agency’s original protocol was any visitor that is vaccinated is able to forgo a mask. Now, the SSA is requiring all employees and visitors to wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status.
Further details about which offices will be reopening, and updates office hours, are still under negotiation. The SSA plans to announce these updates in March.
For any concerns during this transition from online to in-person, the SSA suggests using its website wherever possible. You also have the option to call them at their toll-free national number 800-772-1213, or call your local SSA office.
Interested in Starting a Claim?
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