Governor Kathy Hochul joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Friday to speak out against efforts by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to dismantle Social Security services, including office closures that directly impact New York seniors and families.
Speaking at a press briefing in Albany, Hochul criticized the closure of Social Security offices across the state. These closures are already forcing vulnerable New Yorkers to travel long distances to get the help they need.
“In New York, our priorities are different,” Hochul said. “We think it’s wrong to make seniors travel far for their benefits. We think it’s wrong to call Social Security a ‘Ponzi scheme,’ and it’s wrong to put this safety net at risk.”
SSA Office Closures Leave Seniors Stranded
Hochul explained how these closures are affecting everyday people. Many seniors rely on in-person services. But now, some are being told to travel across five or more counties just to access help.
She noted that not all older adults can navigate the online system. Some even rely on their grandchildren to help fill out digital forms.
“That’s the reality we’re facing,” she said. “And when phone calls go unanswered or offices close, people are left behind.”
In Albany County alone, nearly 70,000 seniors rely on Social Security benefits. Without local offices, they face greater barriers and longer delays.
Hochul Calls Out Trump and Musk
The governor placed blame on Donald Trump and Elon Musk for the recent upheaval. She referenced Musk’s controversial comment comparing Social Security to a Ponzi scheme. She also warned that unelected individuals now have too much power over public programs.
Hochul invoked Franklin D. Roosevelt, who launched Social Security in 1935. As a former New York governor, Roosevelt believed the program should be protected from political interference.
“He said no politician could ever scrap his program,” Hochul recalled. “But maybe he didn’t expect a billionaire from South Africa to try.”
A Call to Action for New York Republicans
Both Hochul and Gillibrand called on New York’s seven Republican members of Congress to act. They urged these lawmakers to stand up for Social Security and push back against harmful federal changes.
“You have the power,” Hochul said. “If you don’t use it, you’re complicit in this attack on the American people.”
She specifically named Rep. Elise Stefanik as one of the lawmakers who must speak out. Hochul believes their influence could slow or stop these federal rollbacks.
Fear and Frustration Among Workers and Seniors
Inside Social Security offices, workers are feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Many fear losing their jobs or being unable to serve the public properly. Hochul described a sense of chaos and uncertainty when visiting one of these offices.
“You can feel it when you walk in,” she said. “The people helping others are now under siege themselves.”
Seniors and disability advocates have voiced similar concerns. They say the current direction is creating confusion, hardship, and delays across the system.
Why This Matters to New Yorkers
More than 3 million New Yorkers rely on Social Security. For many, it is the only source of income in retirement. Closing offices and cutting support staff puts those people at serious risk.
The governor pledged that the state would continue to fight for access and fairness.
“We need to stop the insanity of this attack,” Hochul said. “Our voices—and our seniors’ voices—must be heard.”
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