Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill requires the SSA to keep enough field offices and staff so people can get help in person, and sets a hard floor so staffing cannot drop below January 1, 2025 levels.
• Before closing, consolidating, or reducing access at any office, the SSA must give 180 days public notice, notify Congress and local governments, and explain its reasoning.
• The SSA must hold at least two public hearings and specifically address how a closure would affect elderly people, people with disabilities, and those with language or mobility challenges.
• No closure can take effect until the SSA's Inspector General reviews the agency's health and safety claims and confirms the agency followed all the required rules.
• The SSA must report to Congress on every field office closed in the past five years, why each closed, and how it affected wait times at nearby offices.