A new requirement that Social Security recipients go online or in person to a field office to access key benefits, instead of just making a phone call, will be difficult for many people to meet
New Social Security rules requiring online or in-person access to benefits create barriers for rural communities lacking internet and transportation. Field office closures and difficulty understanding new rules exacerbate the problem, particularly in areas with high poverty and limited broadband access. Existing transportation services for seniors are already strained.
