SSA Chief Says 75% Wait-Time Cut Ahead of House Hearing on 7,000 Job Reductions

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 9

Frank Bisignano will tell House lawmakers on Wednesday that the Social Security Administration has cut phone wait times 75%, fixed website problems and served 50% more people under his leadership.
The pitch comes after months of complaints over long waits and staffing cuts, with Bisignano blaming his predecessor’s appointment-only field office policy and promising walk-in and phone access.
Critics, including the SSA workers’ union, say the gains rely on temporary staff reassignments and online shifts after the agency cut 7,000 workers and moved about 2,000 employees into direct-service roles.
The agency’s inspector general has still found errors in benefits and claims processing, though its latest report also cited better telephone service and faster disability-claims technology deployment.
The hearing extends scrutiny of an agency roiled by leadership turnover, service disruptions and false claims by Donald Trump and Elon Musk that millions of dead people were receiving benefits.