March 19, 2025

DOGE Continues Dismantling SSA by Ending Telephone Services for Claims

Washington, D.C. — Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, issued the following statement regarding the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) abrupt termination of telephone services for benefit claims:

“President Trump, Elon Musk, and their hand-picked acting Social Security Commissioner have lost sight of who Social Security is meant to serve.

“In just two weeks, the SSA will force millions of elderly and disabled Americans to either visit understaffed and closing field offices or navigate an online-only system to access the benefits they have earned. They claim this move will reduce fraud—yet they have provided no evidence to support this assertion.

“This cruel policy will create unnecessary hardships for those who need assistance the most. Surveys consistently show that millions of seniors lack reliable internet access, either due to the absence of broadband service or because they do not own a computer or smartphone.

“‘Moving fast and breaking things’ may be a mantra in Silicon Valley, but it is reckless and dangerous when applied to Social Security. Cutting off telephone services with virtually no warning is not just irresponsible—it’s cruel–and begs the question of what their end game is.

“Our members are outraged, and we are calling on Congress to act immediately to rein in Musk and protect Social Security for the millions of Americans who rely on it. ”

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Contact: Lisa Cutler at lcutler@retiredamericans.org