Social Security beneficiaries at risk of delays amid GOP funding fight

Social Security beneficiaries could face longer wait times for service next year unless Congress agrees to the White House budget office’s request to increase funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA), the administration that runs the program is warning.

House Republicans balked at increasing funding for the Social Security Administration in the continuing resolution passed in September, which forced it to implement a hiring freeze last month.

As a result, the agency will soon reach a 50-year low in staffing despite having to provide service to a record number of beneficiaries, which means that customers will experience longer wait times on the phone or online when trying to resolve problems.

While the funding freeze will not result in a cut in benefits, it will take the agency longer to process claims and to otherwise address customers’ problems.