The DOGE honorary secretariat, managed by Donald Trump and Elon Musk, is promoting drastic changes in the Social Security Administration, the entity in charge of managing benefits for 73 million Americans.
The proposed cuts could affect essential services, especially for older adults and people with disabilities, who represent almost 90% of those over 65 years of age dependent on the Social Security system.
The agency had announced a few months ago the reduction of its staff by 12%, a percentage that would be reached in May, according to Musk, and that would mean the elimination of 7,000 employees, through voluntary resignations and layoffs.
In parallel, six of the ten regional offices will close, including the Transformation Office, created to modernize processes using digital tools.
Social Security services and benefits at risk
Trump and Musk insist that SSA “waste, fraud, and abuse” must be eliminated, but they do not intend to cut benefits. Regional agencies are closing in states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The extent of the benefit cuts is unknown, but some fear that funding for the SSA budget will be affected. To date, the average Social Security retirement benefit is $1,976, with a maximum of $5,108 available to beneficiaries meeting the necessary requirements.
SSA tightens requirements: It may now be more difficult to qualify
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will implement new identity verification measures beginning March 31. According to officials, beneficiaries will be unable to confirm their identity over the phone and will need to use the “My Social Security” portal or visit local offices in person. The change will affect both new applicants and those who update their direct deposit information.
The agency will also shorten the processing time for direct deposit changes, from 30 days to one business day. This change will apply to both online and in-person procedures. “Social Security loses more than $100 million per year due to deposit fraud,” stated Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek during a media conference.
Dudek pointed out that current authentication methods are insecure because “the information used is already in the public domain.” The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) warns that the in-person verification requirement will disproportionately affect older adults in rural areas, people with disabilities, and those with limited mobility.
Representative John Larson criticized the measure, saying, “Requiring seniors to register online or in offices that plan to close creates chaos.” The Social Security Administration has announced the closure of 47 offices in states such as Arkansas, Texas, and Florida, as well as the layoff of thousands of employees, as part of a restructuring plan.
