WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats claim 60 percent of regional Social Security Administration (SSA) offices are on the chopping block as part of the administration’s efforts to shrink the government. According to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), they are terminating the leases for several SSA offices around the country. WZMQ 19 News did not see any SSA offices in the Upper Peninsula on the chopping block.
Click here to see what DOGE has listed for closures.
On the Hill, Senate Democrats are on the attack trying to prevent these closures. Senators are worried these closures will ultimately hurt the tens of millions of people who rely on these benefits.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D- NY) said SSA benefits help people with food, medicine, rent and mortgages. We reached out to the White House about these closures, their press secretary gave us this quote: “Any American receiving social security benefits will continue to receive them. The sole mission of doge is to identify waste, fraud and abuse only.”
Last year, a report from the Social Security’s inspector general states that from fiscal years 2015-2022, the SSA paid out about 71.8-billion, or less than one percent of the total payouts within that time frame, in improper payments. Adding most of the erroneous payments were overpayments to living people.
Schumer said SSA benefits are a lifeline to those who need it the most.
“They’re making it hard as possible for you to get your benefits by closing offices and putting up red tape,” said the Senator. “Social Security was already at the lowest levels in 50 years; now they want to fire seven thousand more workers. That means when you call and need help or checks are snafued, there’s no one there to help.”
