Social Security service cuts are leaving seniors and disabled individuals unable to access essential benefits, following a major restructuring by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The overhaul, conducted under the guidance of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, has sparked nationwide delays and service breakdowns.
According to the Los Angeles Times, routine phone consultations that used to take 15 minutes now often fail to connect entirely, with many individuals forced to wait on hold for hours. These delays are impacting vulnerable groups who depend on timely assistance.
Staffing reductions and office closures
The SSA recently cut 7,000 employees—12% of its workforce—and consolidated 10 regional offices into four. While the SSA claims the move was aimed at reducing organizational inefficiency, many recipients say service quality has sharply declined.
Online services have also been plagued by issues. Frequent website errors and broken QR code links are preventing users from making appointments or accessing their accounts.
Gevorg adjian, who runs a free senior medical support center in Los Angeles, told the Times that many elderly clients can’t even log in online to claim their monthly payments. “In-person services have disappeared, and even scheduling appointments several months out is impossible,” he said.
Long lines and legal challenges
On April 9, more than 30 people were seen waiting outside the SSA office at Wilshire Boulevard and Wilton Place in Koreatown.
Kim, a 71-year-old LA resident, said SSA visits had been more manageable earlier this year under the appointment system. “But lately, even with a reservation, the wait times have increased—likely due to staff cuts,” he noted.
A coalition of advocacy groups, including the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), has filed a lawsuit in Washington D.C. federal court against former President Donald Trump, DOGE leader Elon Musk, and acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek.
The plaintiffs argue that the restructuring “collapsed core agency functions in just nine weeks,” leaving millions without access to critical services.
Policy changes further limit access
Maria Town, president of AAPD, criticized the administration for ignoring long-standing issues. “Even before Trump took office, the system was broken. In 2023, nearly 30,000 people died while waiting for SSDI approval,” she said. “Now, even existing beneficiaries are struggling to access services.”
In response, SSA said on X (formerly Twitter) that while wait times and web issues persist, these problems predate the current administration. They emphasized that front-facing service staff were not laid off and that non-essential tasks were reduced to focus on public support.
However, seniors face additional hurdles. A new policy requiring online ID verification poses challenges for those unfamiliar with smartphones or email. The SSA is also moving to phase out paper checks, further complicating access for some recipients.
Dr. Stephen Carney, an emergency physician, said the situation reflects a narrow focus on cost-cutting at the expense of accessibility. “We all agree there’s waste in government spending, but cuts should be done with a scalpel, not an axe,” he said. “This policy ignores the digital barriers faced by seniors.”
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
