Elon Musk Agenda for Social Security

 

Elon Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has turned its attention to the Social Security Administration (SSA), an agency already grappling with severe understaffing and budget constraints. The arrival of Musk’s team has raised alarms, as the SSA now faces additional workforce reductions and the closure of critical local offices. These changes could have profound consequences for millions of America’s most vulnerable citizens, including retirees, individuals with disabilities, and children who depend on Social Security benefits.

At a recent press conference, President Donald Trump was asked whether any federal programs or agencies would be off-limits to Musk’s DOGE team. Trump responded emphatically, “Social Security will not be touched,” reiterating a promise he has made repeatedly throughout his presidency. Despite his willingness to dismantle treaties, shut down agencies, and overhaul long-standing government practices, Trump has consistently acknowledged the sacred nature of Social Security benefits for seniors.

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10 closing SSI Offices

However, Musk’s DOGE team has already begun making inroads at the SSA. Musk himself has drawn attention for his controversial claims that a significant number of 150-year-old “vampires” are fraudulently receiving Social Security payments. DOGE has started installing its own personnel in key positions within the SSA, including an engineer with ties to eugenics-promoting tweets and executives known for their “cut-first, fix-later” approach to management.

The team’s initial actions—eliminating 41 jobs and closing at least 10 local offices—have largely flown under the radar amid a flurry of other headlines. While these steps may seem modest compared to the mass firings DOGE has pursued at other federal agencies, they could have a devastating impact. Social Security recipients, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, rely heavily on in-person services. The closure of offices in locations ranging from rural West Virginia to Las Vegas could severely limit access to essential benefits for some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations, including retirees, individuals with severe physical and intellectual disabilities, and children who have lost parents and are living in poverty.

The SSA, headquartered just outside Baltimore, operates more than 1,200 regional and field offices—nearly one-fifth of all federal government offices nationwide. These facilities serve approximately 119,000 visitors every business day. Many of these individuals lack the computer literacy or internet access needed to navigate the complex, jargon-filled online system of a nearly century-old program. For them, in-person assistance is not just a convenience but a necessity. These offices are also where elderly Americans apply for Medicare—a program that lacks its own physical locations—and where hearings are held for beneficiaries who believe they have been unfairly denied critical assistance.

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Kathleen Romig Security Expert

“This is where people access government,” said Kathleen Romig, a longtime Social Security expert at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities who recently served in a temporary role at the SSA. Romig and other experts warn that further office closures, like those already initiated by the Trump administration, would disproportionately harm low-income individuals with limited education, making it less likely they will apply for or receive the help they need.

The White House has not responded to requests for comment on the issue. However, in a recent Fox News interview, press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns as “fake news” and accused reporters of “fear-mongering” about Social Security’s future under the Trump administration. She insisted that Musk’s efforts are focused solely on eliminating fraud and waste within the program.

Despite these assurances, the roughly 15 million recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)—many of whom are severely disabled, destitute, or orphaned—remain deeply concerned. These individuals, who are among the least politically powerful in the country, already face significant challenges in accessing SSA services. Many report long travel distances to their nearest Social Security office and excruciating wait times—ranging from hours to years—to speak with a representative or have a claim or appeal processed.

Even before Trump took office, the SSA was operating at a 50-year staffing low, the result of a decade of budget cuts imposed by congressional Republicans. Now, as Trump and Musk continue their aggressive restructuring of federal agencies, SSI and SSDI beneficiaries in rural areas are watching with growing anxiety. For them, further cuts to SSA offices or staffing could be nothing short of catastrophic.

As Musk’s DOGE team presses forward with its efficiency-driven agenda, the question remains: Will these changes truly root out fraud and waste, or will they further erode a vital lifeline for millions of Americans who have nowhere else to turn?

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New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

That alarming scenario is now becoming a reality in White Plains, New York, home to one of the Social Security Administration’s hearing offices targeted for closure by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). According to a letter sent by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to the SSA, the White Plains office, which serves beneficiaries across seven counties, currently has over 2,000 pending cases. Starting in May, elderly and disabled individuals in the region will be forced to travel up to 135 miles to reach the next-closest office—a journey that, for some, may even cross state lines.

“Does the Administration have plans to close additional SSA offices?” Gillibrand asked in her letter, highlighting concerns about the broader impact of these closures.

The Social Security Administration has declined to address a detailed list of questions regarding DOGE’s recent actions, including the closure of 10 offices and staffing cuts. However, a spokesperson did provide a brief statement about the White Plains office, explaining that the General Services Administration had informed the SSA that the office’s lease would not be renewed and that there are no plans to open a replacement facility. The spokesperson added that many hearings would be conducted online through video and audio platforms.

This shift to virtual hearings raises significant concerns, particularly for elderly and disabled beneficiaries who may lack the technology, internet access, or digital literacy required to navigate these systems. For many, the closure of the White Plains office represents not just an inconvenience but a potential barrier to accessing critical benefits they rely on for survival.

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