*For all press release inquiries, please reach out to Theresa Meyer (Theresa.Meyer@mail.house.gov)

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, and Speaker Melissa Hortman urging them to work together on a bipartisan improvement to state law that would allow Minnesotans to receive replacement Social Security cards online.

Currently, Minnesota is one of only five states that have not granted the ability for individuals to apply for a new Social Security Number card online. To offer this service, the state government would need to implement the Internet Social Security Number Replacement Card (iSSNRC) project. Bipartisan legislation was introduced in the Minnesota state legislature last session, but it did not advance in either the House or the Senate.  

"COVID-19 has made the shortfalls in access to services more apparent than ever. As Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices closed, individuals across Minnesota struggled to receive replacement Social Security cards for use in applying for driver’s licenses and other services. As we continue to work on the federal level to provide targeted aid to those who need it the most, we should join with the rest of the nation in widening access to services from local SSA field offices," said Emmer. 

“During my time in Congress, I have heard frustrating stories from a number of the 175,000 Social Security recipients living in Minnesota’s Eighth District. With an already limited amount of social security offices in Northern Minnesota, many were forced to drive long distances to the nearest office to resolve any of their issues, and this problem was only exacerbated when offices were forced to close due to the pandemic. Allowing residents to apply for a replacement social security card online would bring Minnesota on par with the rest of the country and would be a commonsense step toward simplifying the Social Security process,” said Stauber.

“The iSSNRC project has proven to be a secure and efficient way for residents of 45 states to apply for replacement Social Security cards. It is my sincere hope that Governor Walz and the state legislature can come to a bipartisan compromise to implement this program in Minnesota,” said Hagedorn.

“It is time for Minnesota to join the 45 other states that have implemented the Internet Social Security Number Replacement Card project. I am hopeful that Governor Walz will work with the legislature to chart an amenable path forward to make things easier for Minnesotans to work with the Social Security Administration,” said Fischbach.

Read the letter here

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