Rep. Tokuda Joins House Democrats Urging Administration to Protect Social Security Phone Service

Rep. Tokuda Joins House Democrats Urging Administration to Protect Social Security Phone Service | U.S. House Representative Jill Tokuda Skip to content Close Home About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Close SEARCH Congresswoman Jill Tokuda About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo Home Media Press Releases March 20, 2025 Rep. Tokuda Joins House Democrats Urging Administration to Protect Social Security Phone Service Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined 61 House Democrats in a letter sent to the Social Security Administration (SSA) expressing deep concerns over their plan to eliminate or reduce telephone services for beneficiaries. Yesterday, SSA announced an overly burdensome change to seniors lacking transportation options and broadband connectivity, especially those living in rural and remote parts of the country. Beginning March 31, new and existing recipients who need to alter their banking information will need to provide identity verification to be done online or in person at a SSA field office. “Many of the constituents in my district are SSA beneficiaries living in rural areas of the state. Limiting or eliminating telephone service in any way and forcing individuals to seek assistance by going online or physically having to travel to an office will create significant barriers for kūpuna and other beneficiaries, especially those who live in remote areas. We live in an island state. That means for many of our kūpuna, getting to an office requires access to auto, ferry, and even air transportation, making accessing the funds they earned through a life of work prohibitive. Cutting phone service will not protect individuals or reduce fraud. Instead, it will cut off a critical lifeline our kūpuna depend on to keep their prescription filled, a roof over their head, and food on their tables,” said Rep. Tokuda. The letter to the SSA can be found here . ### Print Email Share Tweet Previous Article Next Article About Services Media Contact Privacy Policy Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo