119-hr3695

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3695 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 3695

 To require the Commissioner of Social Security to ensure that 
 individuals can access the services of the Social Security 
Administration through a telephone service, an internet portal, and an 
 in-person visit.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 June 3, 2025

 Mr. Riley of New York (for himself and Mr. Van Drew) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To require the Commissioner of Social Security to ensure that 
 individuals can access the services of the Social Security 
Administration through a telephone service, an internet portal, and an 
 in-person visit.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Social Security Access Act''.

SEC. 2. SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE CHANNEL OPTIONS.

    (a) Requirement for Multiple Service Channel Options.--

    (1) In general.--Upon the date of enactment of this Act, 
 the Commissioner of Social Security shall ensure that 
 individuals seeking services, submitting information, or 
 applying for benefits under titles II or XVI of the Social 
 Security Act are provided with the option of applying for such 
 benefits or submitting information related to receiving such 
 services or benefits to the Social Security Administration are 
 able to seek services, submit information, or apply for such 
 benefits through each of the following service channel options:
        (A) Telephone access.--A toll-free telephone 
 service for direct assistance with inquiries, claims, 
 and appeals related to the receipt of such services or 
 benefits, including the ability to speak with a 
 representative during standard business hours.
        (B) Online access.--An internet-based portal to 
 submit and track claims for such services or benefits, 
 make inquiries, and receive updates on such claims and 
 inquiries.
            (C) In-person access.--In-person assistance at 
 Social Security Administration field offices.

    (2) Telephone service requirements.--In providing the 
 telephone service required by paragraph

    (1)
        (A) , the 
 Commissioner shall ensure that the telephone service--
        (A) is available in English, Spanish, and such 
 other languages to meet the needs of the populations 
 served, as determined by the Commissioner;
        (B) is made available to individuals in all 
 geographic areas of the United States; and
            (C) has in place the appropriate safeguards to 
 ensure the security and identity of individuals using 
 such telephone service.

    (3) Telephone access for major account changes.--
 Notwithstanding any subregulatory change or guidance issued by 
 the Commissioner of Social Security, the Commissioner shall 
 ensure that individuals are permitted to complete the following 
 through the telephone service described in subsection

    (a)

    (1)
        (A) :
        (A) Complete application for social security 
 benefits.--Initiate and complete applications for any 
 benefit under title II or title XVI of the Social 
 Security Act.
        (B) Direct deposit changes requirement.--Request 
 and verify changes to direct deposit information.

    (b) Reports.--

    (1) Initial report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
 of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
 States shall submit to Congress a report on the Social Security 
 Administration's implementation of the requirements under 
 subsection

    (a) , including--
        (A) the effectiveness of each service channel 
 described in subsection

    (a)

    (1) in meeting the customer 
 service and benefit access needs of individuals;
        (B) difficulties or barriers encountered by 
 individuals in accessing the telephone service 
 described in subsection

    (a)

    (1)
        (A) ;
            (C) security measures taken by the Administration 
 to protect the personal information of individuals 
 using such telephone service; and
            (D) recommendations for improving the 
 implementation of the requirements under subsection

    (a) .

    (2) Annual report.--Not later than 1 year after the report 
 described in subparagraph
        (A) is submitted to Congress, and 
 annually thereafter, the Commissioner shall submit to Congress 
 a report on--
        (A) the number of individuals assisted through each 
 service channel;
        (B) the number of individuals who have used the 
 telephone service described in subsection

    (a)

    (1)
        (A) for 
 applications and major account changes;
            (C) the average wait time for an individual to be 
 assisted through such telephone service;
            (D) the security measures in place to protect the 
 personal information of individuals when using such 
 telephone service;
        (E) any reported difficulties or barriers 
 encountered by individuals in accessing such telephone 
 service;
        (F) plans for improving such telephone service, if 
 necessary;
        (G) the effectiveness of each service channel 
 option in meeting the customer service and benefit 
 access needs of individuals; and
        (H) any additional measures taken to improve the 
 accessibility or delivery of services.
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