Protecting Benefits: Agencies Must Guarantee Service Quality Before Staff Cuts.
This law requires major federal agencies (like SSA, IRS, Medicare, VA) to certify to Congress that significant staff reductions or office closures will not harm the timely delivery of benefits or increase wait times for citizens. If an independent review finds that service quality declined after the changes, the agency must reverse the cuts, including rehiring staff and reopening offices. This ensures continued access to essential government services.
Key points
Agencies handling retirement, healthcare, and taxes must prove that major staff cuts (over 5%) or office closures will not reduce benefit access or increase delays for eligible individuals.
Independent Inspectors General will study the impact of these changes to ensure services like claim processing and inquiry response times are not negatively affected.
If service quality declines due to cuts, the agency is mandated to reverse the action, including reinstating laid-off employees and reopening closed regional offices.
Introduced
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