A new study warns that staffing cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA), driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could result in nearly 2 million more in-person visits to field offices every year.
Older people may suffer most from DOGE-driven changes
The SSA already serves over 69 million Americans monthly. As more older Americans retire and staffing declines, the agency faces growing service demands—especially in rural areas.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP):
- DOGE-led cuts and revised SSA protocols could cause 1.93 million additional field office visits per year
- Older people would spend more than 1 million hours annually on unnecessary travel
- Half of older Americans now live over 30 minutes from a field office
- In 31 states, at least 25% of them must travel over an hour round trip
- In places like Arkansas and Wyoming, that number rises to 40%
Phone service eliminated for key Social Security tasks
In April, the SSA announced changes that would block retirees and survivors from using phone services to:
- Apply for benefits
- Make direct deposit changes
After backlash, some phone services were restored. But as of May, direct deposit updates now require either:
- A multi-step online identity check, or
- An in-person visit
Critics argue this shift disproportionately hurts older people and those with disabilities—many of whom don’t drive or lack access to technology.
Service delays, long drives, and growing wait times
CBPP researchers used government travel databases and Census data to estimate the impact. They say their findings are “conservative,” excluding time spent:
- Waiting for field office appointments
- Driving in traffic
- Calling SSA’s overwhelmed phone system
“Most wait more than four weeks for an appointment,” said CBPP’s Devin O’Connor. “And many can’t get one at all.”
SSA staff reductions make it worse. In April, nearly 2,000 field office workers took voluntary buyouts under DOGE restructuring. Some offices lost over 25% of their employees.
Advocates warn of system collapse
In March, Senate Democrats warned that the SSA would:
- Close 47 field offices and
- Eliminate 6 regional offices
That could send up to 85,000 extra people to remaining offices every week. Unions say the strain will create:
- Longer delays
- Lost benefits
- Increased case backlogs
Even SSA insiders have criticized the cuts. One anonymous SSA employee told The Guardian, “They’re hoping their plans stick, but it’s hurting the American people.”
Former Commissioner Martin O’Malley warned Congress, “You’re going to see the system collapse and an interruption of benefits—possibly within 90 days.”
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