Social Security Office In Poughkeepsie Remains Closed - Renovations Unconfirmed
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The Social Security Administration office in Poughkeepsie remains closed with no renovations having started in sight. It was reported that the office closed on January 30th, and was set to re-open temporarily, but nothing temporary has appeared. A phone number offered in the article saying it is for Poughkeepsie actually goes to West Nyack, which is also closed. An operator answering the West Nyack phone number said that they had not seen renovations at West Nyack themselves.
A reader of ALBB was unaware of the closure in Poughkeepsie and tried to utilize the office this week, but to no avail. They asked ALBB to inform the public, and also noted: “I just lost $60 on Uber, and one woman who came to the door cried. Thanks! 🍉”
The Social Security office in Newburgh closed in June 2024. The next closest is in Middletown. Both Congressman Pat Ryan and Senator Rob Rolison wrote letters demanding that it stay open, but to no avail.
Google says that the Poughkeepsie office is Open, but it is not. Additionally, the phone number listed in the Google listing routes to a different but similar circle of nowhere. When you hit 0 for Operator, the recording requests that you enter your entire social security number before advancing. ALBB did not do that, and hung up.
Congressman Pat Ryan had demanded that the Poughkeepsie office be opened, and doubted that renovations were the reason. The Congressman said in an email sent to the Poughkeepsie Journal: "It’s absolutely outrageous that the only Social Security office in Dutchess has closed its doors to seniors seeking in-person assistance," He had pursued the Social Security office for a timeline of renovations, and demanded communications with the public, but received no reply. He continued: "And it’s completely unacceptable that almost two weeks later, the Social Security Administration still hasn’t responded to the most basic of questions."
Former Mayor of Poughkeepsie and current New York State Senator Rob Rolison also said to the Poughkeepsie Journal: "Disruptions like this, temporary or not, cause real, tangible challenges for those who need timely access and support. The well-being of so many in the Hudson Valley depends on access to the Social Security Administration office and staff, and forcing transportation to Middletown is simply not an option for too many individuals."
Neither elected officials were successful in keeping the Newburgh office open, so chances look bleak for Poughkeepsie. ALBB reached out to Congressman Ryan’s Poughkeepsie office, spoke to his staff, but has not received an update.
The Poughkeepsie Journal interviewed a Poughkeepsie resident, Ernest Robinson, about how he would access the next closest Social Security office in Middletown if he needs help with accessing his benefits. Ernest said: “You would have to take Metro-North all the way down to, I think, Croton-Harmon. Then switch over and come back up on the Amtrak line," Robinson said. "So it would be definitely difficult.” The trip would take over an hour.
People use Social Security offices to get new cards and to access their benefits, which include:
Retirement Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Benefits for spouses and other survivors of a family member who has died
The auto-loop answering service said that those applying for Disability Insurance would need to wait at least 200 days for their application to be processed.
