In the United States, we live under a system that divides laws and responsibilities between local, state, and federal governments. Each level of government plays a specific role in how we live, work, and access services. At the federal level, where national agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA) operate, the rules are the same across the country.

Understanding Congress: The Senate and the House

Our federal legislative body, Congress, is made up of two chambers:

• The Senate

• The House of Representatives

As constituents, we elect members to Congress through our votes. These members are responsible for voting on legislation, representing our interests, and appointing key officials in government agencies. One important federal agency is the Social Security Administration (SSA), which oversees Social Security benefits such as disability, retirement, and survivors’ benefits.

How Congress and SSA are Connected

Congress plays a direct role in the leadership of the SSA by voting to appoint the Social Security Commissioner. Currently, Martin O’Malley serves as the SSA Commissioner. He was appointed by a Senate vote of 50 to 11 and confirmed on December 20, 2023. His term will last until January 19, 2025.

Commissioner O'Malley is the first appointed commissioner since Andrew Saul, who was removed by President Biden in 2021, a rare move that politicized what has traditionally been an apolitical agency.

How Can Congress Help with Social Security Issues?

As constituents, we have the right to seek assistance from our elected officials, especially when dealing with federal agencies like the SSA. This process is called a congressional inquiry. If you are struggling with your Social Security application, your members of Congress can step in to help.

Here are common situations where a congressional inquiry can be useful:

• Your application is taking too long to process or seems to have disappeared.

• A file or application has been lost.

• You are experiencing dire need status, such as being medically or financially needy.

• You’re unable to obtain necessary medical treatment or are at risk of losing housing.

The Process of a Congressional Inquiry

1. Find Your Members of Congress:
   You can locate your representatives on Congress.gov by entering your address.

2. Visit Their Website:
   Look for a page offering help with federal agencies. This is often labeled "Casework" or "Help with a Federal Agency."

3. Fill Out a Contact Form:
   Complete the form with the applicant’s information and describe the problem in the remarks section. In most cases, you will need the applicant’s signature (a wet signature) to authorize the inquiry.

4. Submit the Form:
   Some congressional offices will allow online submission, while others may require you to fax the form.

5. Wait for Confirmation:
   Once submitted, the applicant will receive an email confirming receipt of the request. The congressional office will then contact their liaison at the federal agency to request an update on the claim.

6. The SSA Responds:
   The SSA will pull the file, review the claim, and provide an update, which is then forwarded to the applicant by the congressional office.

What Does This Accomplish?

A congressional inquiry draws attention to your application in a system that processes thousands of claims daily. By pulling your claim for review, the SSA may be able to:

• Expedite the process if an error or delay is identified.

• Review your claim out of order if you’re experiencing dire need.

This means your case gets prioritized, potentially speeding up the resolution of your claim.

Conclusion

If your Social Security claim has been delayed or it seems lost in the system, don’t wait any longer. Reach out to your congressional representatives for assistance in expediting your case. A congressional inquiry could be the key to getting your claim prioritized and resolved faster. Find your representative today and take the first step toward securing the benefits you deserve.

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Photo by Louis Velazquez