Social Security rushing service cuts at White House request, sources say
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Social Security Administration headquarters. Photo: Wesley Lapointe for The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Social Security Administration is rushing cuts to phone services at the White House's request, the agency's acting commissioner told Social Security advocates in a meeting on Monday, two sources who attended tell Axios.
Why it matters: These changes will strain the already struggling Social Security system and could even deprive some people of benefits entirely, according to current and former employees and advocates for retirees.
- Some of the most vulnerable Americans — including people who are hospitalized, kids in foster homes and those living in remote areas — will face more hurdles applying for disability benefits, according to one advocate who spoke with Axios and was at the meeting.
- Some beneficiaries could effectively be blocked from receiving benefits, per an internal Social Security memo, viewed last week by Axios.
Driving the news: Acting commissioner Leland Dudek said the changes in question would usually take two years to implement, but will be made in two weeks instead, the two sources said, on condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation.
- Dudek also said the changes, happening so fast and with little public understanding, will create opportunities for scammers, one of the sources said.
- Dudek acknowledged the policy could increase fraud risks for beneficiaries, according to one attendee. He said in the past Social Security had been too "thoughtful" in considering beneficiaries before making changes.
For the record: A White House official said the administration was moving quickly to root out "waste, fraud and abuse" at Social Security, and that no one would be denied their lawful benefits.
Reality check: While the changes will make it harder for many to apply for benefits, those who are already receiving checks aren't expected to face any disruptions.
What to watch: On Tuesday the Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing with Trump's nominee for Social Security commissioner, Frank Bisignano, the CEO of financial technology firm Fiserv and a Republican donor.
- He'll face questions about these changes, as well as job cuts and office closures at the agency.
- "These new developments leave us deeply concerned that DOGE and the Trump Administration are setting up the SSA for failure—a failure that could cut off Social Security benefits for millions of Americans—and that will then be used to justify a 'private sector fix,'" Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who both serve on the committee, said in a letter to Bisignano on Monday.
- They called efforts to "gut" Social Security a "prelude to privatization."
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with details on Tuesday's congressional hearing.
