Larson Visits Hartford Social Security Office with Acting Commissioner Kijakazi

Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) visited the Hartford Social Security Office with Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi.

“I would like to thank Commissioner Kijakazi for coming to Hartford for an honest discussion with local staff and a tour of the Hartford Social Security office,” said Larson. “10,000 Baby Boomers become eligible for Social Security every day, increasing the total number of beneficiaries by 21% since 2010. Even as we have a record number of Americans on Social Security, administrative funding has fallen, and in 2022, agency staffing reached a 25-year low. Last year, I worked with Rep. Rosa DeLauro and House Democrats to reverse this trend, increasing SSA funding by $785 million to improve staffing, customer service, and case backlogs.” 

“This year, House Republicans have proposed, once again, slashing funding for Social Security, which would increase wait times for benefits and close field offices currently open to the public. I led more than 100 of my Democratic colleagues in March urging for full SSA funding, not cuts, to ensure Americans receive the benefits they have earned on time. As Republicans continue their push for harmful cuts to both SSA operations and hard-working Americans’ earned benefits, I will continue to work with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to protect and expand Social Security,” Larson continued.

As Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, Rep. Larson led a letter sent to Appropriations Committee leaders, with Reps. Susan Wild (PA-07), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Doris Matsui (CA-07), in support of full funding for the Social Security Administration, so that the agency can strengthen services and reduce excessive delays faced every day by Americans who are trying to access their earned benefits.