Trump Memo Reveals Plan to Throw Social Security Into Chaos

Date:

Share post:


The Trump administration plans to upend and cripple the Social Security claims process, according to a memo obtained by Popular Information.

An internal  Social Security Administration memo, sent on March 13, outlines changes to the agency that would cause processing delays and prevent Americans from applying for as well as receiving benefits, ostensibly to reduce “fraud risks” according to its author, acting Deputy Commissioner Doris Diaz.

The changes include requiring that people seeking benefits provide proof of identity over the internet for benefit claims made over the phone. If someone is “unable to utilize the internet ID proofing, customers will be required to visit a field office to provide in-person identity documentation.”

Right now, Social Security claims and identity verification can be done over the phone thanks to staffers answering calls on its toll-free number. Actual fraud is rare, because people have to provide multiple pieces of personal information, checked against medical records, bank statements, pay stubs, and tax returns, depending on the type of claim. 

Beyond that, if there are any discrepancies, an applicant might have to mail their birth certificate to the agency. This entire process allows people who are elderly or disabled, and thus have difficulty accessing the internet or visiting a physical office, to apply for and collect Social Security benefits. 

Introducing internet verification would be a significant hardship to the 40 percent of Social Security beneficiaries who depend on the phone service. If they can’t use the internet system, they would also have to visit a physical location. Diaz’s own memo estimates that 75,000 to 85,000 people would have to visit Social Security offices under the new policy. 

But even before the Department of Government Efficiency’s massive cuts to the agency, the SSA’s physical offices had an average wait time of more than a month. They don’t accept walk-ins and would not be able to accommodate such a large increase in foot traffic. 

The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner, Leland Dudek, recently announced further cuts of 7,000 employees, or about 12 percent of the agency. Physical offices around the country are being closed, and some people are more than 100 miles away from the nearest location. On top of that, one day before the memo was issued, the agency was reportedly considering ending its phone service altogether due to misguided concerns from DOGE over widespread fraud.

After an outcry over ending the phone service, the SSA denied that it was being eliminated, with this memo appearing to be a workaround. Even still, if these changes go through, many disabled and elderly people will have major difficulties in getting their benefits and may end up losing them altogether. The memo foresees this, stating there will be “service disruption,” “operational strain,” and “budget shortfalls.” All of that is a euphemism for causing irreparable damage to Social Security.



Source link

Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams is a writer and editor. Angeles. She writes about politics, art, and culture for LinkDaddy News.

Recent posts

Related articles

Teens charged with murder in fatal hit-and-run of bicyclist captured on video

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A 13-year-old boy has been charged with murder in a fatal hit-and-run of...

Russia says it destroys 46 Ukrainian drones overnight

(Reuters) - Russia's air defence units destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones overnight, its defence ministry said on Tuesday,...

Suni and Butch, Crew-9 Dragon capsule to return to earth Tuesday | CW39 HOUSTON

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will undocking overnight and will be returning to Earth Tuesday when...

Minnesota Supreme Court tosses recall petitions against DFLers who boycotted session

A Minnesota Republican Party push to remove Democratic-Farmer-Labor representatives who boycotted the beginning of this year’s legislative...

Trump administration aims to make faster meat processing permanent

By Tom Polansek and Leah DouglasCHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration said on Monday it plans to...

Former Hamas hostage returns to Kibbutz Be’eri and shares his story while in captivity

Former Hamas hostage Tal Shoham returned to Kibbutz Be’eri with an Austrian TV crew to tell the...

Why Bank of America Corporation (BAC) is One of the Best Strong Buy Stocks to Buy Right Now

We recently published a list of the 10 Best Strong Buy Stocks...

Fed meeting, US housing starts, Nvidia GTC: What to Watch

Asking for a Trend host Julie Hyman previews the biggest stories and...