CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN RAISES THE ALARM ON TEMPORARY CLOSING OF POUGHKEEPSIE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE, DEMANDS SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ENSURE NO REDUCTION IN SERVICES

Congressman Pat Ryan Raises the Alarm on Temporary Closing of Poughkeepsie Social Security Office, Demands Social Security Administration Take Immediate Action to Ensure No Reduction in Services

On January 30th, the Poughkeepsie Social Security Administration (SSA) Office will close for an unspecified amount of time for renovations; limited in-person services will not begin until February 17th

Announcement comes on back of closure of both the Newburgh and Kingston Social Security Offices

Ryan’s “Protecting Social Security Act” would ensure every county in NY-18 had its own Social Security office

WASHINGTON, DC  –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan raised the alarm that the temporary closing of the Poughkeepsie Social Security Administration Office would cause significant disruptions for Hudson Valley seniors, and demanded the Social Security Administration take action to ensure there was absolutely no reduction in services. In a letter to Acting SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, Ryan also called for increased transparency, including  a detailed timeline for the renovations, and a commitment to gathering community input to identify and implement measures that minimize disruption to those who rely on SSA services. Last year, Congressman Ryan introduced the landmark “Protecting Social Security Act,” which, among other things, would ensure every county in NY-18 had its own SSA office. 

“Closing yet another Social Security office in the Hudson Valley is outrageous and totally unacceptable. And it isn’t just an issue for seniors in Dutchess. How are folks supposed to get their benefits if there’s no Social Security Offices open in either Ulster or Dutchess?” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “I get the need for renovations, but the solution simply cannot be ‘limited’ in-person services or making people travel all the way to Middletown. We need answers ASAP to ensure not a single Hudson Valley senior goes without the benefits they have earned.”

“Our residents, especially our senior citizens and the disabled, rely on the Social Security Administration’s downtown Poughkeepsie office for a host of services from a name change so one can update a driver license or passport to apply for earned income or medical benefits. With the Social Security Administration requiring in-person visits for most transactions, our residents shouldn’t be forced to travel out of the County for assistance,” said Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. “I stand behind Congressman Ryan’s demand for answers and full local services for our residents.”

“Social Security is the financial life blood for many of our residents, and continued access to those services is essential. While I appreciate the administration making renovations and improvements to the facility, providing uninterrupted assistance during this time is paramount,” said City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers. “Residents need clear guidelines to ensure they understand their options during construction and should be kept informed as to when these renovations will be completed.”

“The Poughkeepsie Social Security Administration office and staff are a critical resource, and a disruption like this, temporary or not, causes real, tangible challenges for those who need timely access to support,” said State Senator Rob Rolison. The SSA must provide better planning and clear communication on how the SSA will continue to offer services to residents during the office closure, ensuring everyone has access to their hard-earned benefits. The well-being of so many in the Hudson Valley depends on it.”

"It’s absurd to think that people from Poughkeepsie will travel to Middletown for help with their Social Security payments or Medicare,” said Assemblyman Jonothan Jacobson. “Many do not have transportation. The Social Security Administration could easily find space in the library or other public spaces in Poughkeepsie."

Ryan’s letter to Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano included four demands:

1. Immediate Establishment of a Temporary Full-Service Office: The SSA must open a fully staffed temporary office in Poughkeepsie or a nearby location to ensure that residents have full access to services during the renovation period. A small contact station is entirely insufficient.
2. No Disruption in Service: I request assurances that there will not be a single day of disruption in service for Dutchess County residents. The SSA must take whatever steps are necessary to guarantee uninterrupted access to critical services.
3. Full Transparency: Please provide a detailed timeline for the renovations, including the projected reopening date of the Poughkeepsie office.
4. Community Input: Commit to engaging with local stakeholders, including elected officials and community organizations, to identify and implement measures that minimize disruption to those who rely on SSA services.

In the Social Security Administrations email to Congressional offices informing them of the temporary closure, the SSA noted that: 

“Beginning Thursday, January 30, 2025, the office located at 332 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, will be temporarily closed for renovations. During this time, individuals requiring in-person services may visit the Middletown office located at 85 Crystal Run Road Suite 100, Middletown, NY 10941.

Starting Monday, February 17, 2025, the Poughkeepsie office will open a small contact station at its current location, 332 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, offering limited in-person services throughout the renovation period.”

A copy of Ryan’s letter to Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano is included below:

Dear Acting Commissioner Bisignano,

I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the impending closure of the Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Poughkeepsie, New York, set to begin on Thursday, January 30, 2025. This decision is an affront to the residents of Dutchess County and the surrounding areas who rely on this office for essential services. The establishment of a small contact station at the current location is wholly inadequate and fails to address the needs of the community. This inadequate measure demonstrates a blatant disregard for the people you are entrusted to serve.

The Poughkeepsie SSA office is a lifeline for countless individuals, including seniors, people with disabilities, and others who require in-person assistance to navigate complex Social Security processes. Forcing these individuals to travel to the Middletown office is not only impractical but outright dismissive of the realities faced by those with limited transportation options, mobility challenges, or fixed incomes. This expectation is unacceptable and shows a shocking lack of empathy and foresight.

Adding insult to injury, the recent closure of the Newburgh SSA office has already placed a significant burden on residents in the Hudson Valley who lost access to the Ulster County office, years earlier. The cumulative effect of these closures is unacceptable and demonstrates a lack of consideration for the people who depend on these services. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that no individual is left behind or denied access to critical resources due to unnecessary logistical barriers.

I am calling on you to provide a clear and comprehensive plan detailing how the SSA will ensure no reduction in services during the renovation of the Poughkeepsie office. Specifically, I request the following:

1. Immediate Establishment of a Temporary Full-Service Office: The SSA must open a fully staffed temporary office in Poughkeepsie or a nearby location to ensure that residents have full access to services during the renovation period. A small contact station is entirely insufficient.
2. No Disruption in Service: I request assurances that there will not be a single day of disruption in service for Dutchess County residents. The SSA must take whatever steps are necessary to guarantee uninterrupted access to critical services.
3. Full Transparency: Please provide a detailed timeline for the renovations, including the projected reopening date of the Poughkeepsie office.
4. Community Input: Commit to engaging with local stakeholders, including elected officials and community organizations, to identify and implement measures that minimize disruption to those who rely on SSA services.

The people of Dutchess County deserve better than limited access and incomplete answers. I urge you to prioritize the needs of the community and act swiftly to address these concerns. Failure to do so risks leaving countless individuals without the support they need, falls far short of the SSA’s duty to provide equitable and uninterrupted services, and undermines the trust and confidence that the SSA is meant to uphold.

I look forward to your prompt response and a commitment to ensuring that my constituents do not bear the brunt of these service disruptions.

Sincerely,

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