A temporary Social Security Administration office opened its doors at 9 a.m. Monday at 801 Banyan Blvd. in downtown West Palm Beach.

The office opened nearly a year after the old Social Security Administration office along Congress Avenue closed its doors in August 2014 because of mold and ventilation issues.

Approximately 40 employees are working in the temporary location.

U.S. Rep Lois Frankel has been pushing for the temporary office.

"We have such a large number of older citizens here, seniors here. Without Social Security and Medicare, a lot of them would be living in poverty, so it's a lifeline, and I'm glad to get this building open today," Frankel said.

The agency hopes to open its permanent home by Jan. 1, 2016. It will be located directly across the street from the temporary location in the AUTEC building at 801 Clematis St.