Threats to the Social Security Agency and welfare continue to cause alarm
Despite the Trump administration’s promise that, as we discussed last week, Americans won’t be cut, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has recently turned its attention to the program. Reports indicate that their efforts are underway, with staff able to access access to the major Social Security Number database, including extensive and highly sensitive information. Doge did not disclose their intention to use the data or how to ensure it is safe.
As finalized in this article, federal judges temporarily blocked extended access to personally identifiable information on the grounds of privacy concerns. However, the problem has not been resolved and Social Security data is still at risk.
Doge did not disclose their intention to use the data or how to ensure it is safe.
Major changes and cuts
Doge is led by Elon Musk, who calls Social Security a cornerstone of our nation’s 90-year history of social insurance system, a program that will enable thousands of Americans, especially the elderly and disabled, to avoid poverty every year, which is a “Ponzi scheme.” Musk suggested last week that there is no evidence that $700 billion in due fraud could be held annually, while 20 million people at the age of 10 million are still in the Social Security Agency – the president has been controversial with a member of the Social Security Administration (SSA) in his speech to Congress, which has been promoted to the Social Security Commission’s Social Security Commission (SSA).
These developments happened after SSA announced plans to lay off more than 7,000 employees and close-up offices, and Mr Dudek said it could “break things.”
Worries are growing
Alerts are growing around the scope and breadth of these planned actions, as well as the risks of those who rely on social security to earn income and other support. This includes seniors who pay the program throughout their lifetime, people with disabilities and their parents, and those who go to school or pay premiums for Medicare.
Alerts are growing around the scope and breadth of these planned actions, as well as the risks of those who rely on social security to earn income and other support.
To get some clarity, last week, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden (D-MA) and D-OR sent a letter outlining these concerns and asked several questions about Presidential Social Security Commissioner nominee Frank Bisignano. The senator specifically asked about the procedure cuts that resulted in “failure or delay in getting Americans to conduct social security checks” as “cutting backdoor benefits.”
Opportunities to harm benefits
The letter also highlights the impact felt due to changes in operation of SSA, including workers reporting that waiting time for essential services has increased significantly, sometimes for hours. Other changes have been announced since the letter was sent. On Tuesday, March 18, the SSA eliminates the ability to apply for benefits or make certain changes over the phone, directing older and disabled beneficiaries to go online services or face-to-face appointments – must be scheduled by phone after an average of 2 hours of waiting and is currently booking for more than a month.
On Tuesday, March 18, the SSA eliminates the ability to apply for benefits or make certain changes over the phone, directing older and disabled beneficiaries instead of online services or in-person appointments.
Speaking to the New York Times, Kathleen Romig, the Center for Social Security and Disability Policy, said the change “will significantly delay their access to the benefits they earn”, while the delay “only the SSA cuts thousands of employees and requires more people to make appointments.”
Medicare rights are very concerned about SSA staffing and these cuts in its operational changes. Elderly and disabled people need easy access to SSA services. They must not be forced to use technology that they cannot access or go to on-site offices, with availability of over 100 miles.
Read more about on-site office closures.
