1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep frustration with the new policy requiring parents to apply for their newborn's Social Security number in person at a Social Security office, rather than through the hospital at birth. This unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle is making life more difficult for American families at a time when they should be focused on caring for their child, not navigating government red tape. Under this new system, parents are forced to take their newborns to Social Security offices—many of which are closing, making access even more difficult. This not only creates an undue burden but also exposes vulnerable infants to unnecessary health risks, particularly in flu and RSV seasons. Additionally, without a Social Security number, parents cannot claim their child on their taxes, further straining financial stability for working families. How does making citizenship and basic identification more difficult for our own people help America? Instead of supporting new parents, this policy only creates obstacles, wastes time, and adds stress during an already challenging period. If the goal is to strengthen families and the economy, then streamlining—not complicating—essential processes like this should be a priority. I urge you to take action to reverse this decision and reinstate the ability for hospitals to process Social Security applications at birth. Parents should not have to jump through unnecessary hoops to secure something as basic as an identification number for their child. I look forward to your response and to hearing how you plan to address this issue for the benefit of American families.