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b'After a months-long hiring freeze, the Social Security Administration is once again facing even further declining staffing numbers.\\nBut with agency spending now determined for the rest of fiscal 2024, and hiring now unfrozen, SSA Commissioner Martin O\\u2019Malley is readying the agency\\u2019s plans to rebuild its workforce as quickly and efficiently as possible.\\nCurrently, SSA is at its lowest staffing levels in 27 years, while serving more customers than ever before, O\\u2019Malley told lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee during a hearing last week. As a result, customer service has worsened \\u2014 there are longer wait times on phone lines, and longer delays in receiving decisions on disability applications and appeals.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'