If the administration proceeds as planned local senior citizens and the disabled will have to travel to Syracuse or Geneva to address social security issues in person.
Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, has asked to meet with Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue to discuss the closing.
Those opposed to the closing argue that most senior and disabled persons would rather not use the telephone or Internet for assistance.
Corresponding with the social security office over the phone is difficult as many transactions require some form of documentation.
And anyone who has been to the DMV can appreciate how much paperwork might be required.
There has also been concern about transportation, as many elderly and disabled citizens are unable to drive. Beneficiaries relying on public transportation would undoubtedly struggle to travel a longer distance for assistance.
The 2001 U.S. Census reported that the average Social Security income for retirees over the age of 65 was less than $10,000 for the year and for many social security is their sole source of income. To further disadvantage beneficiaries seems foolish.
However, the flip side of the coin is the fact that the Auburn office seems to be a drain on resources.
Astrue has countered that the Auburn office has high employment turnover and that it currently operates on limited hours. As a result of poor availability and staffing issues, many cases are already being routed to Syracuse and Geneva.
I am not going to get up in arms to save a branch that hasn't been functioning adequately.
I only know what has been reported, but I don't suppose the Social Security commissioner has reason to misrepresent the facts.
Of course my sympathy is for the elderly and disabled, but situations aren't always as they seem. Ideally an office that is properly staffed with open hours would definitely benefit the estimated 20,000 beneficiaries of the area, but I am hesitant to support any measure to maintain the status quo.
If action is going to be taken, it seems restructuring the office from scratch might be in order.
Otherwise, based on the commissioner's argument, I see no reason to oppose the closing.
Estabrook's Column appears Mondays in The Citizen and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
Those opposed to the closing argue that most senior and disabled persons would rather not use the telephone or Internet for assistance.
Corresponding with the social security office over the phone is difficult as many transactions require some form of documentation.
And anyone who has been to the DMV can appreciate how much paperwork might be required.
There has also been concern about transportation, as many elderly and disabled citizens are unable to drive. Beneficiaries relying on public transportation would undoubtedly struggle to travel a longer distance for assistance.
The 2001 U.S. Census reported that the average Social Security income for retirees over the age of 65 was less than $10,000 for the year and for many social security is their sole source of income. To further disadvantage beneficiaries seems foolish.
However, the flip side of the coin is the fact that the Auburn office seems to be a drain on resources.
Astrue has countered that the Auburn office has high employment turnover and that it currently operates on limited hours. As a result of poor availability and staffing issues, many cases are already being routed to Syracuse and Geneva.
I am not going to get up in arms to save a branch that hasn't been functioning adequately.
I only know what has been reported, but I don't suppose the Social Security commissioner has reason to misrepresent the facts.
Of course my sympathy is for the elderly and disabled, but situations aren't always as they seem. Ideally an office that is properly staffed with open hours would definitely benefit the estimated 20,000 beneficiaries of the area, but I am hesitant to support any measure to maintain the status quo.
If action is going to be taken, it seems restructuring the office from scratch might be in order.
Otherwise, based on the commissioner's argument, I see no reason to oppose the closing.
Estabrook's Column appears Mondays in The Citizen and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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