Social Security Shares Update on Office Closures

The Social Security Administration is denying reports that the agency is permanently closing local field offices.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month that 47 offices in 18 states are slated to close this year.

But in a news release on Thursday, the SSA said the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office this year. It said that the list of sites provided to the General Services Administration were mostly “small hearing rooms with no assigned employees” and the agency has no need of these rooms since most hearings are held virtually.

Why It Matters

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is seeking to downsize the SSA and eliminate waste and fraud with job cuts, lease terminations and new rules requiring in-person visits.

A recent poll found that a majority of Americans, particularly baby boomers, are concerned about the impact these efforts could have on Social Security benefits.

The SSA’s announcement of a plan to require in-person identity checks for millions of new and existing recipients while closing offices sparked outrage. The SSA revised the plan on Wednesday, saying that people who are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income who cannot use the agency’s online portal can complete their claim entirely over the phone without the need to come into an office. Other SSA applicants will still be required to verify their identities at a field office.

What To Know

“Recent reports in the media that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is permanently closing local field offices are false,” the SSSA said in a news release.

“Since January 1, 2025, the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office.”

It said it had only announced the permanent closure of one hearing office, in White Plains, New York.

The agency “works closely with local congressional delegations before closing any office permanently,” the release said. “The agency also reassigns employees from an affected office to other locations to help communities access in-person services.”

The release said the SSA “identified for the General Services Administration underutilized office space to ensure the government is spending taxpayer money as prudently as possible.”

It added: “The agency provided GSA a list of sites for termination. Most of these are small hearing rooms with no assigned employees. Since most hearings are held virtually, SSA no longer needs these underutilized rooms.”

What People Are Saying

Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a statement: “SSA is committed to providing service where people need help and our local field offices are no exception. We have not permanently closed any local field offices this year.”

Elon Musk defended DOGE’s cuts during an interview on Fox News on Thursday, saying: “As a result of the work of DOGE, legitimate recipients of Social Security will receive more money, not less money. I want to emphasize that point and let the record show that I said this, and it will be proven out to be true.”

Former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley wrote on X on Tuesday: “The Musk/Trump co-presidency has already taken 90 percent of the actions necessary to drive Social Security into a total system collapse.”

What Happens Next

The impact any cuts and closures could have on benefits remains uncertain, but experts have warned that layoffs and closures could lead to disruptions in benefits payments.