The Social Security Administration has for many years disbursed benefits that help retirees, disabled individuals, and families afford necessities like rent, food, and medical care. However, these beneficiaries are at risk of being inconvenienced because Social Security is facing massive cuts that could see them lose their retirement and disability benefits.
Massive Layoffs and Office Closures
Recently, the SSA announced that it will lay off approximately 7,000 workers, which is an astounding 12% reduction in staffing. Additionally, six out of 10 regional offices are set to be closed, and more in the future, including the local field offices. These cuts add more problems to the agency, which has been operating with near-record-low staff levels since 2024. According to experts, these layoffs and office closures will make it harder for Americans to access their earned benefits.
Martin O’Malley, the former Social Security Commissioner, warned that the Social Security Administration is at risk of system corruption which could lead to an interruption in the distribution of benefits. This means that disabled individuals and retirees are set to experience delays that could see them fail to receive their monthly payments soon. These delays could cause major financial strains on these beneficiaries because most of them rely entirely on Social Security as their primary source of income.
Effect on Millions of Retirees and Disabled Americans
Over seven million Americans aged 65 and above receive 90% of their income from Social Security. This means that failure to receive their monthly payments could mean that they cannot afford basic needs and prescription medications. According to a recent survey, 42% of seniors reported that if they failed to receive Social Security, they could not afford basic needs.
Disabled individuals are at even more risk because most of them do not work or run any businesses but instead wait on Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to cater to their needs. Therefore, any further delays in their monthly benefits could have serious ramifications on their survival.
Considering that some individuals in states like Georgia have average wait times exceeding a year to receive the first determination on a disability claim, even before these Social Security cuts, then the situation is set to get worse once the cuts are implemented.
Potential Elimination of Social Security Phone Services
Due to the expected cuts as demanded by the Department of Government Efficiency, SSA is considering eliminating its toll-free phone services that millions of retirees and disabled individuals rely on to access their benefits and make inquiries. Claimants could now be forced to visit field services or use the internet, which is challenging for most elderly and disabled Americans who lack reliable internet access, are too old to operate laptops or phones or have mobility limitations.
According to former SSA officials, eliminating the toll-free phone service would be the biggest service disruption in the agency’s history considering that in 2023 alone, over 81 million calls were made to SSA’s toll-free number.
Looming Benefits Cuts Due to Administrative Cuts
The mandatory administrative cuts demanded by DOGE could lead to the cut of benefits themselves. Social Security has for years played a unique role by being the nation’s largest anti-poverty program, helping millions of underprivileged individuals stay afloat. Therefore, potential reductions in these benefits could be devastating for the beneficiaries.
The Uncertainty Surrounding SSA’s Future
SSA, an agency that has provided a financial safety net for millions of Americans for years is facing massive cuts that could cripple its efficiency while beneficiaries could lose their retirement and disability benefits. The cost-cutting measures, from office closures to phone service shutdowns, these changes will leave millions of beneficiaries struggling to survive.
The future of Social Security is uncertain and there is a need for Americans to stay informed and vigilant to protect the program that has supported generations for decades.