Recent Events at SSA

Let’s get into the new administration’s policies affecting Social Security. Since Martin O’Malley resigned
as Commission of SSA on 11/29/24 there have been three acting commissioners:
Carolyn W. Colvin 11/30/25 – 02/16/25 who resigned citing her deep concerns over Trump/Musk
disruptions at SSA. She was quoted “I’m not sure exactly what their goal is,” said Colvin. “We took
the issue of fraud seriously during my time at the agency. Musk is putting out a lot of
misinformation that has already been discredited.”

Michelle King 01/20/25 – 02/16/25 reportedly stepped down after conflicts with Musk over allowing
DOGE access to the people’s personal identifiable information (PII) private SSA records.
Leland Dudek became the current acting commissioner on 02/17/25. Since his appointment, there were
fears of him shutting down SSA based on a court order restricting DOGE access to PII. Since then, it has
been reported that DOGE is calling the shots at SSA and that he is effectuating decisions made by them.
Martin O’Malley has since spoken repeatedly over his concerns that DOGE cuts could trigger a full
system collapse at SSA.

DOGE is overhauling SSA computer systems citing they are dated and inefficient. SSA still utilizes
systems that rely on COBOL, an old computer code. SSA’s internal computer systems are complex and
utilize multiple computer languages that administer over 35K laws governing SSA. DOGE has stated the
overhaul would take months, computer experts state a safe overhaul would take years to implement safely.
21 DOGE staff resigned saying they won’t help ‘dismantle’ public services. Frequent system outages have
occurred over the last month. Historically, SSA has run system enhancements over the weekends and
experienced some intermittent system issues as any large scale operation would. DOGE has
acknowledged there may be system outages and potential disruption of payments due to system updates.
DOGE is reorganizing SSA, reducing it’s regional offices from 10 to 4 in an attempt to streamline upper
management. SSA employees were asked for their weekly accomplishments. A reduction in force (RIF)
has been initiated and does state they don’t want to change anything within SSA that could affect frontline
service. Their current target is to reduce an already overworked staff by 7,000 personnel. There have been
varying reports of office closures. SSA’s current official press release dated 03/27/25 states these reports
are false, that the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local
field office. AP news has reported a list of offices slated for closure through DOGE’s control of GSA and
not renewing their leases. A list of Social Security offices expected to close in 2025 | AP News

Other SSA Current Hot Topics
Does SSA pay deceased people or centenarians over the age of 115?
This allegation is false and may originate due to misinterpretation of an internal death file within SSA.
The public reports their loved ones death, funeral homes report deaths to SSA, banks receive death
notifications and do not direct deposit funds into deceased persons accounts.

Direct deposit changes:
Per regulation GN 02402.001 and following, SSA has required direct deposit or electronic transfer of
funds since 3/01/2013 with few exceptions. Mandatory direct deposit is not new.
DOGE is requiring new applicants and anyone who cannot successfully verify their identity online with
SSA to visit their local SSA office to have the update processed for them. These requests are no longer
allowed via phone service verbal identification procedures.

Overpayment collection updates:
DOGE reactivated an old policy of full withholding of any overpayment. Initial full withholding is not a
new policy, it’s an old method of collection that was previously obsoleted.

Best Practices
Keep a file of all of your SSA records and written correspondence.
If you experience a non receipt of funds, obtain proof from your bank records the funds were not
deposited. Contact SSA either in person or over the phone and keep a record of who you spoke with and
what action they took to resolve your issue. If it’s an ongoing outage of payments, report your missing
payment every month and keep documentation for your records.
If you receive an overpayment notification and you disagree with the overpayment, contact SSA and
request a waiver or reconsideration as soon as possible. If you do not respond your next full payment will
be withheld.
These actions will cause an increase of inquiries for SSA whether over the phone or in person. SSA’s
phone service is already overburdened. They do have a call back option available and you will get a
response.
Please keep in mind that these actions will increase public service demands to an already overburdened
staff that is doing their best to serve you. You may have to wait hours on the phone or all day in an office
for assistance. This is not the staff’s fault. If you have concerns with services please don’t take your
frustration out on the employees, but rather contact your Congressional rep and ask them what action they
are taking to resolve the issues.
Maryellen Eckert
EDPNA