HV officials back AG’s push to keep Social Security offices open
Thirty-three elected Hudson Valley officials, mainly from Westchester, have thrown their support behind New York Attorney General Letitia James’ effort to convince the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Lee Dudek, to reverse the decision to close the White Plains hearing office at 75 S. Broadway and reduce services at the Poughkeepsie Social Security field office.
“Seniors and people with disabilities throughout the Hudson Valley rely on the White Plains and Poughkeepsie offices to ensure they receive the support they deserve,” James said. “Protecting access to Social Security and the rights of vulnerable New Yorkers must transcend politics and be a principle that all those in public service support. Our federal government should be working to uphold Social Security, not whittle it away.”
In a Feb. 27 letter to Dudek, James said, “President Trump repeatedly promised to protect Social Security as a candidate, and vowed not to touch it as president. The de facto denial of services to hard-working Americans is at odds with the President’s vows. The White Plains office is currently the central service hub for seven New York counties: Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, and Sullivan. If the office is indeed shuttered for good, there will be senior citizens and people with disabilities faced with traveling more than 100 miles to the nearest hearing office. Surely this effective denial of services cannot be worth the modest savings on office space that will supposedly justify this decision.”
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TO READ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S LETTER, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW.
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James pointed out that the White Plains office has a roughly 2,000 case backlog and that redetermination hearings come with an eight-month wait.
“It is simply unconscionable to strip away the services altogether rather than trying to fix an already challenging situation. Similarly, the uncertainty surrounding the full reopening of the Poughkeepsie field office is cause for concern,” James said.
James’ office in a document quoted 33 officials from Westchester and other parts of the Hudson Valley who also believe Social Security services should not be cut by the Trump Administration. They included Republican Congressman Mike Lawler, Democratic Congressman George Latimer, Mayor Tom Roach of White Plains, Assemblymembers Gary Pretlow, Amy Paulin, Dana Levenberg and Chris Burdick. State Sens. Shelley Mayer and Pete Harckham and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.
According to Latimer, “The lack of commitment by the Trump administration to identify a new site is harmful to the 16th Congressional District, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is frankly unacceptable to just relocate clients to distant locations. Thank you to Attorney General Letitia James for being a leader for our state on this pressing issue.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “This is about making sure our community doesn’t lose essential services. This is about being committed to seniors, the disabled, and so many others to find a solution that keeps Social Security resources easily accessible for White Plains and surrounding areas.”
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, “As the third largest city in New York state, Yonkers and its residents are in jeopardy of losing access to this valuable lifeline for our seniors and those with disabilities. I support efforts in advocating to keep this office centralized and open for all New Yorkers.”
Among other mayors lending their support to the push were New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey and Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie.
“Seniors who have spent their lives paying into Social Security deserve clarity and the resumption of full services Social Security is a sacred promise that this country makes to its citizens,” James said in her letter. “It should indeed be protected; not just from cuts or dissolution, but from denial through underfunding or misadministration.”