The Social Security Administration (SSA) is more than a government office for millions of Americans—it’s a vital lifeline. People turn to SSA to apply for retirement, disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and to enroll in Medicare.
However, recent cuts and closures under the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could make accessing those services harder than ever.
Despite claims that Social Security won’t be affected, critical services are already being scaled back. With field offices closing and thousands of workers being laid off, people who rely on SSA the most—especially older adults, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities—could soon find it much harder to get the help they need.
SSA Is Already Understaffed and Overloaded
The SSA has been under pressure for years, but today’s situation is more strained than ever. In 2015, the agency had 7,000 more staff and served 7 million fewer people than it does today. According to the Medicare Rights Center, SSA is now operating at a “25-year staffing low,” which has led to significant delays and backlogs.
These staffing shortages aren’t just a paperwork problem. Long phone wait times, appointment-only field offices, and delayed processing can directly impact people’s ability to get benefits or enroll in Medicare. As the Center notes, delays can cause “a cascading effect—that difficulty obtaining timely information… can lead to care delays.”
Field Office Closures Add to the Strain
DOGE has announced that at least 10 SSA field offices will close, including those in West Virginia, California, New York, and other states. These offices are where many people go for in-person help, especially those who don’t have internet access or struggle with phone systems.
Once the White Plains, NY office closes, residents may have to travel up to 135 miles to receive in-person support. “This will be difficult for many, and impossible for some,” the Medicare Rights Center warns. For people without cars, who are homebound, or who rely on public transportation, these closures could mean missing out on critical benefits entirely.
Staff Cuts and Service Rollbacks Add Confusion
The administration also announced it would cut 7,000 SSA jobs, calling the already overworked agency “bloated.” That decision comes alongside other confusing service changes that have been proposed, walked back, and reintroduced. For example, phone services for retirement and disability claims were nearly reduced—and only reversed after public outcry.
Another proposal briefly required parents in certain states to visit an SSA office to get Social Security numbers for their newborns. That too was walked back, but the pattern has left many unsure of what to expect next.
What’s at Risk
These changes are more than bureaucratic shifts—they could directly affect whether people can afford food, access healthcare, or stay in their homes. As the Medicare Rights Center puts it: “SSA must not be hamstrung, and Social Security itself must be safeguarded to ensure current and future beneficiaries get the help they need and have paid for their whole lives.”
