By Sarina Trangle
The Rego Park Social Security Office is slated to temporarily close as it cycles through a national upgrading initiative.
The 63-44 Austin St. office will close Friday at noon and likely remain shuttered for about three to four months based on the remodeling time needed for work at other Social Security outposts, the administration’s New York Regional Communications Director John Shallman said.
“The primary work being done… is creating new work stations for the employees. These new interviewing desks will allow us to permanently move all interviewing employees to the front window where they can provide the most assistance to the public during peak hours,” Shallman said in an email.
Shallman described the revamp as part of a national improvement plan. He would not disclose the cost of the upgrades, but said it would be amortized into rent payments over the next decade of the administration’s lease.
The Rego Park office handles an average of more than 240 people daily, according to U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing). The congresswoman said the outpost’s 32 staff members would temporarily be assigned to three nearby Social Security Administration offices to help accommodate an increase in clients during the construction period.
“Although this temporary closure will be an inconvenience, the work is necessary, and the renovations will allow the facility to better serve the needs of our borough,” Meng said in a statement. “It is important that Queens residents are aware of the temporary shutdown, and I will monitor and stay in contact with Social Security officials to make sure that the project stays on track.”
During renovations, all Rego Park walk-in traffic will be handled by the administration’s Jamaica office, at 155-10 Jamaica Ave. on the third floor; Flushing office, at 138-50 Barclay Ave.; and Bushwick office, at 111 Myrtle Ave.
These offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Shallman said the Social Security Administration would announce when the Rego Park office is expected to reopen as the date approaches.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4546.
