Press Release

ARCURI CONTINUES FIGHT FOR AUBURN SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) continued his fight for the Auburn Social Security Office today in a letter calling on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to utilize $9.3 billion in funding passed by the House of Representatives last month to keep the Auburn field office open.

“During a June meeting with high-level SSA officials it was made clear to me that without additional administrative funding, the agency would be forced to close field offices,” said Arcuri. “Over the past few months, I have worked with colleagues here in Washington to make sure we provide increased federal funding to keep offices like the one in Auburn open. I am proud to say we passed a bill to give the SSA the funds they say they need to keep the Auburn office open. I now urge them to make good on their commitment.”

In his third letter to SSA Commissioner Michael J. Astrue in support of the Auburn office, Arcuri asked that the SSA to utilize the $9.3 billion passed by the House to keep the Auburn Office open. He asked Astrue to join him in supporting the bill as it moves through the Senate and in urging the President to sign it into law.

Last month, Congress passed H.R. 3043, the fiscal year 2008 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill which provides $9.3 billion for SSA administrative expenses. The $9.3 billion represents a $401 million increase over the FY 2007 level and a $100 million increase above the President’s request.

Arcuri also followed up on his June 5th request that the SSA provide him with a service delivery assessment of the Auburn SSA office and projected annual retirement applications for SSA Area 6 and the entire New York Region for the next five fiscal years.

In June, Arcuri met with Linda McMahon, Deputy Commissioner for Operations, and was told that without increased administrative funding from Congress, the SSA would have to move forward with proposed field office closings.

After hearing that the Auburn office was being considered for closure, Arcuri sent two letters to Astrue stating his strong opposition to closing the office and requesting meetings with SSA officials.

Of the approximately 81,000 people living in Cayuga County, 19,745 are Social Security beneficiaries who receive services through the Auburn office.

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