OANA MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE BACK:
View and ask questions via YouTube and Facebook stream on Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 pm. Requires the latest version of Chrome or Firefox. Presenters scheduled: presentation of November ballot initiatives, panelists on ballot initiatives, Queens Economic Development Corp. New Director Ben Guttman. For more information: oana-ny.org.
ADDABBO CONTINUES MOBILE OFFICE AND ‘JAVA WITH JOE’
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. met with constituents to hear their concerns at a recent mobile office session at Lefferts Library in Richmond Hill and a ‘Java with Joe’ event at Buongiorno Bagels in Glendale, both earlier this month. These sessions are designed to allow the senator to hear from constituents directly.
Senator Addabbo’s next stops will be Forest Hills Library on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., located at 108-19 71st Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375. He will also be visiting Deja Brew on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 12 noon, located at 102-10 Jamaica Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11418.
“It is very important to me to be able to connect with my constituents one-on-one,” Addabbo said. “I know not everyone can stop by my District Offices during regular business hours so I offer evening events at local libraries and Saturday morning events at neighborhood coffee shops in the district, so I can communicate with as many people as possible while showcasing our local libraries and businesses.” For more information, contact Senator Addabbo’s Office at 718-738-1111.
114th PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MTG REMINDER:
The monthly meeting of the 114th Precinct Community Council will be at The Marquee Astoria at 25-22 Astoria Blvd, Astoria, on Tuesday October 28 at 7:00 PM.
RICHMOND HILL BLOCK ASSN MONTHLY MEETING OCT. 29:
The Richmond Hill Block Association will host their next monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 pm at 110-08 Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill. Guest Speaker: Jennifer Lambert, Woodhaven Mural Project. Email RHBA.1974.1@gmail.com if you need more information.
ADDABBO BRINGS INTERACTIVE DIABETES AWARENESS EVENT:
In recognition of November as Diabetes Awareness Month, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. will host an engaging, educational diabetes information session from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The gathering takes place at Monsignor Mulz Hall (the separate gymnasium building of St. Thomas the Apostle Church), located at 88-14 Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven. Those who plan to attend MUST live in Senator Addabbo’s district and RSVP by calling his office at 718-738-1111.
The interactive program aims to empower individuals living with diabetes by delivering practical knowledge, hands-on activities, and healthy giveaways—such as fresh produce—to help participants address the disease and lead satisfying lives. “Our community is strongest when we work collectively for the greater good, such as helping those managing diabetes,” said Addabbo. “This chronic condition may be scary and challenging for many, but there is help and hope. Diabetics are not alone.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that nearly 37 million Americans have diabetes—roughly 1 in 10 people. In addition, about 96 million adults in the U.S. have prediabetes, signaling a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The event will include a live cooking demonstration, light exercises, guidance on nutritious eating and lifestyle adjustments, plus games and prizes. Attendees will have an interactive, empowering experience designed to increase knowledge, optimism, and confidence in preventing or managing diabetes. “Learning about diabetes matters,” Addabbo said. “Events like this give people the tools they need to take control over their health.” RSVP is required.
ADDABBO TO HOST ARTIST SHOWCASE FOR THE SECOND YEAR:
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is hosting an Artist Showcase on Sunday, October 26, from noon to 3:00 pm at the Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, to exhibit artists of various types from his district, both still artists and performing artists. There will be singers, painters, woodcarvers, photographers, mixed media, comedy, variety acts and more. “Queens has some of the most diverse, talented and creative people in the world,” Addabbo said. “Last year’s artist showcase was a real eye-opener for many attendees who got to experience these treasures for the first time, and I’m sure now in our second year we will uncover more hidden gems.”
To perform at the event, artists must have submitted samples for the showcase and have been accepted in advance. The solicitation of artists period is now closed. The showcase is a way for artists to share their talents with the community. It is not a competition. There are no prizes and there is no sale of any kind at the event.
Admission is free to the public and everyone is invited to attend. “We are providing a welcoming stage where performers at every level can share their work, connect with audiences, and build a supportive district that lifts up everyone,” Addabbo said. “Art thrives when communities come together.”
STAVISKY STATEMENT ON FREE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS:
Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair, Senate Committee on Higher Education, issued the following statement regarding the SUNY & CUNY announcement that students can apply to nearly 130 colleges and universities across New York State for free this October as part of College Application Month. More information can be found here: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/school-counselors/college-application-month/
“As a former educator, I know how important it is to remove barriers that stand between students and their dreams of higher education. Waiving college application fees gives every person the chance to take that first step toward a brighter future. I thank Governor Hochul, SUNY, CUNY, these private colleges, and HESC for working together to make higher education more affordable and accesSee sible for all New Yorkers.”
LIU STATEMENT ON HOMELESS SCHOOL KIDS:
State Senator John Liu stated the following about today’s report from Advocates for Children of New York finding 154,000 children, one in seven school kids, were identified as homeless during the last school year:
“It’s shocking that a record 154,000 NYC students experienced homelessness last year. Even more shocking is that our school funding formula doesn’t even take their extraordinary needs into account when calculating how much Foundation Aid schools need. Our legislation, S8139, will update the formula to include homeless schoolkids and ensure every education dollar matches the needs of our neediest kids.”
ROJAS CELEBRATES UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS:
Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, prime sponsor of the Universal School Meals Act, celebrates the historic implementation of free breakfast and lunch for all students across New York during National School Lunch Week. Universal School Meals was passed and signed by Governor Hochul in the NYS Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. For three years, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, Senator Michelle Hinchey, union leaders, and advocates rallied to call on the governor to help end child hunger by closing the gap and guaranteeing that school children, no matter their family’s income level, can receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost, every school day.
“New York’s Universal School Meals has impacted 2.7 million children and families since the beginning of the school year. Fully funded breakfast and lunches save families about $165 in grocery spending per child each month. With the cost of living on the rise, these savings can provide a family relief, preventing parents from choosing to skip a meal to pay the rent. Food insecurity is a real issue in our state, and we must do all that we can to fight it. Universal School Meals is one way we are tackling these challenges. During National School Lunch Week, we are celebrating this historic victory. I’m proud to have carried the Universal School Meals Act with Senator Michelle Hinchey for three years and to have worked with Hunger Solutions New York, Community Food Advocates, and NYSUT in a broad statewide coalition, which garnered unprecedented bipartisan support in our legislature. We’ll continue fighting to eliminate hunger in New York,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, Chair of the Task Force on Women’s Issues and prime sponsor of the Universal School Meals bill in the Assembly.
Universal meals also support local economies, bring resources into schools, and make cafeteria operations more efficient. Families are still encouraged to submit their household income information, which helps schools secure additional funding and benefits.
AG JAMES AND GOV HOCHUL WIN CASE PROTECTING MORE THAN $33 MILLION:
Court Blocks DHS From Withholding Transit Security Grant Funding from New York.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Hochul released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to award $33,898,500 in critical anti-terrorism funding owed to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that DHS had tried to block:
“This ruling protecting critical counterterrorism funding is a victory for every New Yorker who rides our subways, buses, and commuter rails. A court has once again affirmed that this administration cannot punish New York by arbitrarily wiping out critical security resources and defunding law enforcement that keeps riders safe. We will always fight to ensure that New York gets the resources we need to support our law enforcement and keep people safe.”
CRUZ SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES IN JACKSON HEIGHTS:
NYS Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz: “We were grateful to welcome NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to Jackson Heights for a small business walk-through of our vibrant commercial corridors. Together, we visited a number of the hardworking mom-and-pop shops that keep our neighborhood thriving. We took the time to listen to their concerns, learn more about the obstacles they’re facing, and connected them with programs and assistance that can help them succeed. One of the most impactful moments was being able to hand-deliver unclaimed checks that had been sitting in the system—money that rightfully belonged to these business owners. For entrepreneurs operating on tight margins, those dollars provide critical relief and help reinvestment in their employees, storefronts, and families. You can check for unclaimed personal or business funds at https://ouf.osc.state.ny.us/ouf .”
SLIWA CAMPAIGN HQ OPENS:
The Eastern Queens Campaign Headquarters of Curtis Sliwa opened on Tuesday, October 14 at 258-06 Hillside Avenue, Floral Park. The Campaign HQ is open every day from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm from now until Election Day, Nov 4th. Come and volunteer, make phone calls, pick up lawn signs, palm cards and campaign materials, stuff “canvassing bags,” put up Curtis posters, etc.
RAGA HOSTS GRAND OPENING OF NEW DISTRICT OFFICE IN WOODSIDE:
After more than a decade without an elected official’s district office in the neighborhood, Assemblymember Steven Raga hosted the grand opening and ribbon cutting on October 17 of his new office in Woodside, 60-10 Queens Blvd., lower level. This relocation marks a historic return of elected representation to the center of New York State’s 30th Assembly District, expanding access to essential constituent services, community events, and district resources for residents across Woodside, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Maspeth. Local officials, community leaders, and organizations joined Assemblymember Raga to commemorate this milestone for the district.
HOCHUL ANNOUNCES MTA TO COMMENCE ENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENT OF INTERBOROUGH EXPRESS PROJECT:
Environmental Benefits and Impacts of IBX Project To Be Conducted Under State Environmental Quality Review Act; Kickstarting Review Moves IBX Project Forward. Public Meetings To Be Held in Person Oct. 29 and Nov. 6, Virtual Meeting To Be Held Nov. 12.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced it is beginning the environmental review process for the forthcoming Interborough Express (IBX) under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act. The commencement of environmental review is the first major milestone reached for the IBX after Governor Hochul’s announcement that the project had entered the preliminary engineering and design phase in August.
“The IBX will dramatically improve the commutes of over 160,000 daily riders and we are moving full-speed ahead to keep this transformational project on track,” Governor Hochul said. “Beginning environmental review is yet another statement of intent that in New York, we don’t just talk about major infrastructure projects, we build them.”
To kick off environmental review, there will be a series of three public meetings that will explain the scope of the project and the review process. The first will be held Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Brooklyn College. A second meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 6 at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, Queens. A virtual meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 12. Members of the community interested in attending can register here.
The environmental review process will run concurrent to the ongoing preliminary design and engineering phase of the project kicked off in August. Following public outreach, the SEQRA process will produce a Draft Scoping Document, and ultimately, a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the project. This process will assess potential significant environmental benefits and impacts of the IBX project.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “900,000 New Yorkers live along the proposed IBX route, and we’re not going to waste any time advancing this project for them. Launching the State environmental review process gives us the momentum we need to move this transformational effort toward construction.”
MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “The IBX project will finally give Brooklyn and Queens the fast, reliable transit connection they deserve, and we’re ready to complete it faster, better and cheaper. We look forward to putting shovels in the ground on this transformational project and sharing our ideas with customers.”
About the IBX Project
The Interborough Express is a generational transit investment that will connect nearly 900,000 New Yorkers in underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens to the subway, bus and Long Island Rail Road. The project will also significantly reduce travel times between the two boroughs, with an end-to-end run time of 32 minutes along an existing 14-mile freight line owned by the MTA and CSX Corp.
In August, the MTA Board authorized the selection of a joint venture between Jacobs and HDR, who will oversee the design and engineering phase of the IBX. Project design, which got underway this summer, focuses on a light rail system design. This was determined to offer the best service to riders at the best value to the MTA, with about 70 percent of projected IBX riders expected to transfer within the MTA system. The project design work includes communications and signal design, vehicle design, track design, station design, among other components.
Once the design process is completed, the next step will ultimately create 19 stations that connect with 17 different subway lines, 50 bus routes and two LIRR stations. The IBX will be the first new end-to-end rapid transit built entirely within New York City since the IND Crosstown Line, now called the G, which fully opened in 1937. IBX stations in Queens will be the first new transit stations built since the Archer Avenue extension of the EJ and Z lines to Jamaica in 1988.
Funding the IBX
The current project design phase is funded mainly through $45 million secured by Governor Hochul in New York State’s 2025 budget and the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan. The total estimated cost of the IBX project is $5.5 billion, with 50 percent of the total funding for the project secured by Governor Hochul in the MTA’s 2025- 2029 Capital Plan.
Since 2023, the MTA has hosted ten open houses attended by nearly 1,000 community members along the route to raise awareness and gather feedback. The MTA also held pop-up outreach at 10 locations across the IBX corridor speaking with 1,300 members of the public and over 250 businesses. Every quarter, the MTA hosts a virtual community council on the project with elected officials, community groups and community boards.
ADAMS LAUNCHES TWO SIGNATURE PROGRAMS:
In Fiscal Year 2024, Over 2,000 Babies Were Born in New York City Shelters, New “CRIB” Program Puts Pregnant New Yorkers on Path to Permanent Housing, Aims to End Cycle of Babies Born in Shelter System.
$8.5 Million Investment Will Connect 300 Pregnant People with Housing Subsidies to Quickly Move Into Stable Homes.
Celebrates Launch of “NYC Baby Boxes” with Essential Supplies and Resources for Families After Giving Birth at Four NYC Health + Hospitals Locations.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced details of a new initiative that aims to break the cycle of infant homelessness in New York City by delivering support to pregnant New Yorkers. Officially launched on September 15, 2025, the pilot program, “Creating Real Impact at Birth” (CRIB), is an innovative DSS program that will connect and prioritize pregnant New Yorkers applying for shelter with housing vouchers to put them on a path toward permanent housing and stability. First announced in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City address earlier this year, today’s announcement — seeded with an investment of $8.5 million — is a key plank of the Adams administration’s ongoing commitment to making New York City a safer, more affordable city that is the best place to raise a family.
Additionally, Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz today celebrated the launch of “NYC Baby Boxes,” a new program to welcome the newest New Yorkers and support New York City families by reducing early financial stress for new parents. Families of newborns at four NYC Health + Hospital locations will be provided with boxes that contain a collection of postpartum and newborn supplies, including diapers and wipes, clothing, games, and several resource guides on what to expect after giving birth.
“Put simply: No child should ever be born in a shelter. We must do everything we can to stop the cycle of poverty and housing instability before it ever begins by ensuring mothers and babies do not go to a shelter after leaving the hospital and that they have the resources they need to thrive,” said Mayor Adams. “The ‘CRIB’ program is yet another example of how our administration is cutting the bureaucracy that often prevents people from getting the government services they need while also making New York City more affordable for needy families. We are proud to be launching this program, and also delivering ‘NYC Baby Boxes’ to approximately 7,000 families across our public hospital system. These interventions will help our most vulnerable New Yorkers find the affordable housing they need to live stable, thriving lives and further our mission of making our city the best place to raise a family.”
“‘CRIB’ is an important and groundbreaking program that will allow pregnant New Yorkers to raise their child in the comfort of a stable home,” said DSS Commissioner Wasow Park. “As a proud mother, I am so excited for this new initiative and the lifeline that will be extended to people experiencing homelessness who will be connected to permanent housing at this profound milestone in their lives. Project CRIB is an important component of the work this administration is doing to support programs and create services that eliminate barriers and moves our most vulnerable neighbors from shelter to housing.”
“Bringing home a child from the hospital is a beautiful, exciting time for any family, but it is not without challenges,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Katz, MD. “The ‘NYC Baby Boxes’ will help families have the information and tools to care for mother and child in those early days after giving birth. We are enormously grateful to Mayor Adams, Welcome Baby, and the United Way of New York City for their efforts to support over 7,000 families each year with this initiative.”
The boxes contain a collection of postpartum and newborn supplies, including diapers and wipes, a “NYC Loves Me” onesie and cap, footie pajamas, a baby carrier, a baby thermometer, baby nail clippers, a nasal aspirator, burp cloths, baby shampoo, diaper rash cream, a Goodnight Moon board book, postpartum pads, nipple cream, and a New York City baby-themed diaper bag.
ADAMS POSITIONS NYC AS GLOBAL CAPITAL OF DIGITAL ASSETS:
Executive Order Creates Nation’s First-Ever Municipal Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Moises Rendon Appointed as Executive Director of New Office.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Executive Order 57 and established the New York City Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain. The first-ever mayoral office of its kind in the nation positions New York as the global capital of digital assets, including cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies. The office will promote the responsible use of digital assets and blockchain technologies, grow economic opportunities for New Yorkers, attract world-class talent, and reinforce the city’s standing as the world’s hub for financial and technological innovation. Mayor Adams appointed Moises Rendon to lead the office as executive director. As its first action, Executive Director Rendon will form a commission of leaders in the digital asset space to advise on the office’s work.
“From day one, our administration has kept New York City ahead of the curve because when we embrace technology, we deliver a safer, more affordable city,” said Mayor Adams. “In 2022, I became the first American mayor to convert my first three paychecks into crypto and this past May, our administration hosted the first-ever crypto summit at Gracie Mansion. Today, with the nation’s first mayoral agency focused solely on digital assets and blockchain technology, we continue to signal the opportunities this new form of technology can bring to New York City. Our city has always been the center of innovation, and we’re embracing the technologies of tomorrow today. The age of digital assets is here, and with it comes the chance to grow our economy, attract world-class talent, expand opportunities for underbanked communities, and make government more user-friendly. I’m looking forward to working closer with Moises Rendon as we help make New York City the tech capital of the world.”
“New York City has remained the global center of innovation for decades due to our willingness to embrace new, emerging technologies,” said First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. “With the launch of the New York City Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain, New York City is reaffirming its role as a leader in the financial and technology sectors to ensure that working-class New Yorkers are first in line for game-changing economic opportunities of the future and efficient delivery of government services. And Moises Rendon is uniquely qualified to guide New York City through this new frontier of technology, which will, once again, result in New York City growing its economy, delivering real economic benefits to underserved communities, and attracting the world-class talent that makes us the envy of the world.”
“Mayor Adams’ creation of this new office proves that the future is now for digital assets and blockchain in New York City,” said Mayor’s Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Executive Director Moises Rendon. “I am honored to lead the nation’s first municipal office dedicated to successfully and responsibly deploying these technologies. I look forward to collaborating with CTO Fraser, city agency partners, and private-industry leaders to develop policies and programs that make our government more accessible, transparent, and innovative for New Yorkers in the years ahead.”
GILLIBRAND DEMANDS ACTION TO PROTECT BENEFICIARIES FROM FRAUD AND ABUSE:
Senate Aging Committee Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) are demanding answers about how Trump administration cuts and reorganizations at the Social Security Administration (SSA) could be putting Social Security beneficiaries at risk for fraud and abuse.
Representative payees manage Social Security payments for beneficiaries who are unable to do so on their own, helping some of Social Security’s most vulnerable beneficiaries receive and access their benefits. They can be individuals such as spouses, parents, or relatives, or they can be organizations such as businesses or social services agencies. Because representative payees play an integral and sensitive role, SSA partners with state Protection & Advocacy organizations (P&As) to routinely monitor representative payee performance and guard against fraud and abuse. However, there is evidence that Trump administration cuts and reassignments at SSA have significantly delayed the approval process for representative payee reviews, undermining vital efforts to protect beneficiaries from Social Security fraud and putting vulnerable beneficiaries at financial risk.
This week, Senators Gillibrand and Wyden asked the 57 P&As in the United States how the Trump administration’s staff reductions and management changes at SSA are impacting their ability to protect beneficiaries from fraud and abuse by the representative payees designated to assist them.
“Representative payees are entrusted with sensitive information so they can help the most vulnerable Social Security beneficiaries manage their benefits. We must make sure that these representatives cannot take advantage of the beneficiaries that they are supposed to protect,” said Senator Gillibrand. “That’s why I’m demanding answers about how Trump administration cuts and organizational changes are impacting the ability of P&As to guard against fraud and abuse. As ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, I’m committed to getting answers on this matter, and I will always fight to ensure that Social Security beneficiaries are protected.”
“State Protection & Advocacy agencies, like Disability Rights Oregon, are the indispensable watchdogs, protecting seniors and people with disabilities from abuse and neglect from those entrusted with their wellbeing, which is why we passed a bipartisan law in 2018 to deputize these agencies to go after bad actors in behalf of SSA,” said Senator Wyden. “However, we have received disturbing reports that Trump and DOGE’s disastrous cuts have left these state agencies paralyzed and ultimately left our most vulnerable unprotected. As Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, I will continue to hold the administration accountable and fight back against efforts to weaken the Social Security program.”
As ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, Senator Gillibrand is a staunch supporter of the Social Security program and its recipients, and she has long been committed to preventing Social Security fraud and abuse. In the face of Trump administration cuts and overhauls at SSA, she has rallied alongside seniors and unions to demand a reversal of staffing and service cuts,advocated against the closure of SSA offices across the country and in White Plains, NY, and, along with other Senate Democrats, sent nearly 200 questions about the impact of Social Security cuts to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano following his confirmation. Following Senator Gillibrand’s advocacy, SSA reversed its decision to restrict certain phone services that serve as lifelines to beneficiaries seeking to access and maintain benefits. Earlier this year, she also introduced the Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act, vital legislation that would reverse the disastrous Trump administration cuts to SSA. In recent weeks, she has requested updates from Commissioner Bisignano regarding his appointed leadership team’s vision and management plans, and she recommended that they jointly visit an SSA field office in NY so she can evaluate the impact the Trump-era changes have had on SSA response times, communication and outreach to the public.
Senator Gillibrand is also part of Senate Democrats’ Social Security War Room, a coordinated effort to fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on Social Security and to ensure the American people can continue to rely on these essential programs that they have earned. The War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders; encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them; and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about the Republican agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits.
The full text of Senator Gillibrand and Senator Wyden’s letter can be found below:
To Protection & Advocacy agency CEOs,
We write today regarding reports that some Social Security beneficiaries are left vulnerable to abuse or mismanagement by their representative payees due to processing backlogs at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Representative payees help Social Security beneficiaries manage their payments when the beneficiaries are unable to do so on their own. Congress established a payee review system to protect beneficiaries and deputized state Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies to investigate claims of abuse or mismanagement, but Trump Administration cuts to SSA may have hindered those reviews. Accordingly, we ask that you respond to questions about whether SSA is able to work with your organization in a timely fashion to monitor Social Security representative payees.
Nearly nine out of ten people age 65 or older and over eleven million people with disabilities receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Federal law allows SSA to designate representative payees to assist beneficiaries who are unable to manage Social Security payments themselves. Representative payees can be individuals such as spouses, parents, or relatives, or they can be organizations such as a business or social services agency. A representative payee takes on a wide range of responsibilities, including helping a beneficiary understand SSI eligibility requirements, ensuring benefits are effectively used, maintaining accurate records, and communicating the beneficiary’s needs. Representative payees help some of Social Security’s most vulnerable beneficiaries, and it is important to ensure that the payees live up to their obligations.
While most representative payees operate in good faith, payee reviews exist to protect Social Security beneficiaries. The current representative payee review system was created by Congress in 2018, following well publicized stories of abuse by representative payees. For example, one representative payee effectively used Social Security beneficiaries as forced labor at a turkey processing facility. Another held four beneficiaries captive “in a squalid boiler room” while stealing their Social Security payments. A third used beneficiary money to purchase “homes, vehicles, luxury RVs and cruises.” In response to these and similar occurrences, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to modernize the representative payee program and better protect beneficiaries.
When it was signed into law, the StrengthenFrom ing Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 made existing state P&As watchdogs against fraud and abuse by representative payees. P&As use their expertise as legal advocacy organizations for people with disabilities to conduct onsite representative payee reviews, engage in educational visits, and examine allegations of misconduct. Critically, P&As speak directly with Social Security beneficiaries about their experiences and have uncovered a diverse set of problems, such as those related to utilities, housing, food, and vision care. Although P&As have taken a key role in monitoring representative payees, SSA must review and approve all enforcement and corrective actions executed by the P&As.
Unfortunately, the minority staffs of the Senate Special Committee on Aging (Aging Committee) and the Senate Committee on Finance (Finance Committee) have received reports of significant delays in the SSA approval process for representative payee reviews. The delays are reportedly occurring at most SSA regional offices and reportedly began following cuts to the SSA workforce and number of SSA regional offices, as well as recently instituted reorganizations and workforce reshaping initiatives. Although fewer than one percent of Social Security payments are improper, delays in the representative payee review system undermine efforts to stop cases of fraud that do exist. More importantly, delays place vulnerable Social Security beneficiaries who rely on these essential benefits for their financial security at risk. One P&A agency disclosed having multiple cases involving abuse or neglect and required immediate action pending with SSA, with one case still unaddressed after five months.
The Senate Aging Committee has jurisdiction over “any and all matters pertaining to problems and opportunities of older people,” including “assuring adequate income.” The Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over “National social security.” Accordingly, we request that you provide information regarding how SSA’s recent reorganization and staffing reductions have impacted your agency’s ability to timely investigate and review representative payees in your state and to protect beneficiaries from abuse or neglect.
Please e-mail your response, with information on the following topics, to RepPayeeInfo@aging.senate.gov by no later than November 10, 2025:
1. The number of representative payee reviews completed by your organization in Grant Year 2024 (August 1, 2023-July 31, 2024) and Grant Year 2025 (August 1, 2024-July 31, 2025).
2. The grant year target numbers for representative payee reviews for your organization in Grant Year 2024 (August 1, 2023-July 31, 2024) and Grant Year 2025 (August 1, 2024-July 31, 2025).
3. Did SSA processing delays affect your organization’s ability to meet your grant year target number for representative payee reviews in Grant Year 2025? a. If yes, please explain how the SSA processing delays affected your organization’s ability to meet your grant year target numbers.
4. A description of cases of particular concern that have not been timely addressed by SSA, including cases involving significant misuse, health, or safety issues.
5. Your assessment of how the SSA processing delays for representative payee reviews have affected – or could affect – Social Security beneficiaries.
6. Please share any observations about changes at your SSA regional office that may have contributed to processing delays or quality concerns for the representative payee review program (for example, staffing changes, new procedures, bulk case processing, etc.).
Thank you in advance for your response. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Ranking Member Gillibrand’s Aging Committee staff at 202-224-0185 or Ranking Member Wyden’s Finance Committee staff at 202-224-4515.
—With contributions by Augusta Luger
This column was originated by John A. Toscano.
For more I on Pols, visit this week’s QGazette.com.