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Territory’s Social Security Office remains closed into 2nd year

Social Security logo
SSA website provides some answers to your questions
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Offices of the US Social Security Administration, across the country and in American Samoa will remain closed to in-person service, heading into the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic as the federal agency continues with current safety measures outlined under its COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, published last year.

The latest update from Social Security, through a national statement last week from US Commissioner of Social Security Andrew Saul, comes as some local residents are complaining of being unable to get information from the local office, as it remains closed.

(Public inquiries directly to Samoa News have been referred to the federal agency’s website - www.ssa.gov - as it provides the latest updates including on how to get a social security card, which appears to be one of the big issues for some local residents.)

According to the statement, the COVID-19 Workforce Safety Plan “is iterative, and we will update it as we receive additional government-wide guidance and information from public health experts” in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

“We understand that the public wants to engage with us on some matters in person, and our local offices are integral to our communities,” Saul said. “We also know that not everyone can conveniently come to us in person and that when you do visit, you want the process to be efficient.

“For example, we may need evidence from you, but we do not need to interview you in person. We are currently testing drop box and express appointment options for the public to bring in documentation,” he said.

“Often, you only need to know your Social Security number and do not need a physical Social Security card,” he points out. “However, if you do need to replace your card, we are testing video appointments if you need a new Social Security card but do not need to change any of the information in our records.”

“Although ideas like these began as solutions during COVID-19, we are considering how they could improve service in the future,” he explained. “Some of these concepts also allow us to consider how we might continue to use telework, something that most organizations and companies have depended on during the COVID-19 pandemic, to drive longer-term operational efficiencies like reducing space.”

Check out the SSA website for specific issues and information.