Finkenauer Announces Decorah Social Security Office will Remain Open

Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) announced the Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Decorah, Iowa will remain open and staffed with in-person service.

In a letter to Finkenauer, the SSA Regional Commissioner Linda G. Kerr-Davis wrote, “…we currently do not plan to close the Decorah, IA resident station. Rather, we plan to supplement our in-person service by offering an additional video service option and provide tailored public service through accessible community-based facilities.”

“I heard from community members in Decorah, including Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski, about how serious a potential office closure would be,” Congresswoman Finkenauer said, “It was important to make sure the SSA was hearing the voices of our friends and neighbors that would be impacted. I am happy to hear that the SSA will keep the Decorah office open and will still offer in-person service.”

Last month, Finkenauer sent a letter to the Social Security Administration pushing for answers on what the SSA planned to do with the Decorah office.

In August, members of the community learned that the Social Security Administration might close the Decorah field office and explore ways to offer to services remotely through videoconferencing.

After hearing from community members worried about the closure, Rep. Finkenauer decided to write to the Social Security Administration to express these concerns and get the facts for Social Security beneficiaries in Northeast Iowa.

The Decorah office serves beneficiaries from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, many of whom drive hours to for an in-person meeting with trained staff, as opposed to handling claims or appeals online.

Congresswoman Finkenauer represents Iowa’s First Congressional District, which includes Decorah and parts of the surrounding area, which is served by the Social Security field office.