H.R. 7228: Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026, aims to amend the Social Security Act to ensure that the Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains adequate access to its field offices for the public. Below are the key components and provisions of the bill:

Field Offices

The bill requires the SSA to operate a sufficient number of field offices and employ enough personnel to:

• Provide comprehensive, convenient, and accessible services to the public.
• Meet current and projected workloads, taking into account anticipated population changes.
• Maintain public operating hours and minimize wait times, particularly for those seeking services without making appointments.

Additionally, it establishes a minimum staffing level for field offices, ensuring that the number of personnel does not fall below the level recorded on January 1, 2025.

Closure and Reduction of Field Offices

The Commissioner of Social Security is restricted in taking actions that close or reduce access to field offices. Actions requiring adherence to strict procedures include:

• Permanently closing a field office.
• Ending or not renewing leases for field offices.
• Consolidating field offices.
• Any actions imposing new limitations on public access or reducing in-person services.

In cases of public health emergencies, these restrictions may not apply.

Notification Requirements

Before any action to close or reduce access to a field office can take effect, the SSA must:

• Provide a public notification 180 days in advance, detailing the proposed action and its rationale.
• Notify relevant congressional members and local governments, allowing them to propose alternative solutions.
• Hold public hearings to present information and gather community feedback on the intended action.

Public Comments and Reports

The SSA must accept written comments from the public regarding these actions and will publish a report summarizing the outcomes of public comments and any decisions made before the closure takes effect.

Inspector General Approval

No action regarding field office closures can proceed without review and approval from the Inspector General of the SSA, ensuring that all processes comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Recommendations from the Social Security Advisory Board

The bill also amends the requirements for using recommendations from the Social Security Advisory Board to emphasize the impact of office closures on services for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.

Reporting to Congress

Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the SSA must submit a report to Congress detailing all field office closures from the past five years, the reasons for these closures, and their impact on service quality. It must also outline a plan for resource allocation to ensure field offices meet service demands for the upcoming decade.

Relevant Companies

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