"The Trump administration is reportedly looking to dramatically reduce the number of people who visit Social Security field offices across the United States, a plan that Democratic lawmakers warned is yet another scheme to disrupt and ultimately cut benefits. Nextgov/FCW viewed internal Social Security Administration (SSA) planning documents showing that the agency is aiming for "no more than 15 million total" in-person visits to field offices in fiscal year 2026 - half the level of the prior fiscal year."
""Under Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano, the agency is aiming to push people to interact with Social Security online instead of going to a field office or calling the agency, although Bisignano told lawmakers in June that, even with his focus on technology, the agency is not 'getting rid of field offices,' despite reports of planned closures," Nextgov/FCW reported Monday."
"One anonymous SSA staffer told the outlet that agency leadership wants "fewer people in the front door and they want all work that doesn't require direct customer interactions to be centralized." "They appear to be quietly killing field offices," the staffer said."
The Social Security Administration plans to limit in-person visits to no more than 15 million in fiscal year 2026, roughly half the prior year's level. Agency leadership under Commissioner Frank Bisignano seeks to move routine interactions online and centralize non-customer-facing work. Earlier staffing cuts eliminated about 7,000 SSA positions, leaving field offices understaffed and phone lines overwhelmed. An anonymous SSA staffer reported a push for "fewer people in the front door" and centralization of work that does not require direct customer interactions. Democratic lawmakers warned that the reductions could disrupt service and signal intentions to cut benefits. Office of Management and Budget officials reportedly prioritize the changes.
Read at Truthout
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]