Lawmakers seek details behind SSA plan to slash office visits

"Nextgov/FCW first reported last week that SSA means to have 50% fewer field office visits in fiscal year 2026 than there were in fiscal 2025, or no more than 15 million total. Over 31 million people visited the agency's field offices last year to file for benefits, get Social Security cards and more. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., detailed their concerns with that goal in a Tuesday letter to Bisignano."

""Given that beneficiaries are already waiting months for field office appointments, and the agency has not shared with Congress or the public on how it plans to achieve this goal, we are concerned that these efforts are in fact part of a plan to 'quietly kill[] field offices,' implementing a back-door cut in benefits by making it harder for Americans to access the Social Security customer services they need," the group wrote."

"The Trump administration has been pushing people to use technology to access SSA services instead of going to field offices or calling the agency. The agency's intention to see fewer visitors has raised concerns about access, especially for individuals who aren't technologically proficient. The plan comes as the agency has made efforts to centralize field office operations, causing anxiety among staff about the future of field offices themselves."

Four senators requested that Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano address a reported agency goal to halve field office visits in fiscal 2026 to at most 15 million. Over 31 million people used field offices last year for benefits, Social Security cards, and related services. Senators warned beneficiaries already wait months for appointments and said the goal could effectively close field offices and create back-door benefit cuts by limiting access. The Trump administration has encouraged online and phone use, raising concerns for people lacking technological proficiency. Centralization and rural closures amid staffing challenges have heightened staff anxiety about field office futures.

Read at Nextgov.com