Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines engaged in a discussion with Frank Bisignano, the nominee for Commissioner of the Social Security Administration under President Trump, focusing on enhancing online services for rural residents in Montana. Daines highlighted ongoing challenges with customer service and emphasized the necessity for improvement.

Daines shared his concerns during the exchange: "The Social Administration was first established as an independent agency. The importance of the public trust has always been integral to that core mission." He recounted his team's experience when attempting to contact the Social Security Administration's customer service line. According to Daines, they faced multiple disconnections and lengthy wait times before being disconnected again.

He further questioned Bisignano about ensuring better access for Montanans, particularly those residing in rural areas: "As you begin looking at areas for innovation and improvements in the delivery of vital services and benefits, will you commit to me and to my office to ensure that Montanans have access to social security?"

Bisignano responded affirmatively: "You have my commitment to work my tail off on all of it."

Daines also noted issues related to call center availability outside regular working hours and stressed a multi-channel approach for improving service levels: "Those beneficiaries have been paying into that system their entire life. They deserve a lot better."

The conversation underscores ongoing efforts to address service inefficiencies within the Social Security Administration, especially concerning rural communities' access.