Social Security Administration Expands Resources and Services for Alaska
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on October 30 a significant expansion of resources to better meet the needs of Alaskans, including improved phone service, targeted support for remote communities, expanded virtual-service options, and new technology designed to make it easier for residents to access Social Security services.
"The Social Security Administration is ensuring Alaskans have more options to access services, whether online, by phone, or in person," said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano, noting that U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan wrote to him last year outlining Alaska's service needs and that the agency has been acting on his recommendations.
In fiscal year 2026, SSA's new phone technology nearly doubled the answer rate in Alaska field offices, while callers to the National 800 Number experienced an average speed of answer of 5.6 minutes, an improvement of nearly 80 percent compared with fiscal year 2024, the agency said. SSA also enhanced its automated telephone services and expanded online access through my Social Security accounts.
To improve access in rural and remote communities, SSA deployed mobile service teams to high-need areas across Alaska and is working with state and community partners to enhance virtual-service options. In the coming weeks, Alaska residents will be able to request Social Security number replacement cards online, along with name changes; each year, 15,000 Alaskan residents need a replacement card and often travel long distances and incur high costs to visit a field office.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：阿拉斯加州首府朱诺市中心。pdx3525 摄，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Downtown Juneau, Alaska. Photo by pdx3525, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
