Millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits to help cover everyday expenses.
This includes not only retirees but also individuals with disabilities and those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to low income.
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Unfortunately, recent changes at the Social Security Administration (SSA) — including staffing reductions and website modifications — have led to serious issues. One particularly alarming incident involved a large number of SSI recipients received a message informing them they were no longer receiving payments.
This message set off a panic among the 7.4 million adults and children who depend on SSI, a crucial anti-poverty program that provides income to some of the most vulnerable Americans.
Here’s what caused the error, and what you can do if something similar happens to you.
What happened to cause panic
In March, a significant technical glitch caused widespread confusion and alarm among SSI recipients.
They incorrectly received a notice informing them that they were "currently not receiving payments." At the same time, benefit data and payment histories disappeared from their accounts.
An internal email later confirmed the message was an error. The SSA identified and resolved the glitch by March 31, restoring access to accurate benefit information. Payments were also made on schedule, but the lack of immediate clarification left many recipients deeply unsettled.
While this was the most severe occurrence, it’s not the only one. President Donald Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which has been making sweeping changes to Social Security that have disrupted operations.
Notably, the Social Security website has experienced frequent outages — some lasting only 20 minutes, others stretching close to a full day. Users have reported trouble signing in, missing account data and slow site performance. Staff also been forced to cancel appointments when the system failed to process new claims.
Many of these problems appear to be linked to a new anti-fraud system implemented by DOGE, which, according to The Washington Post, was not adequately tested. Contributing further to the chaos are the 7,000 eliminated jobs, including 800 positions responsible for managing Social Security databases. Thousands more jobs are expected to be cut in the coming weeks.
DOGE has also shuttered field offices and reduced telephone support, driving more people to the already overwhelmed website just as the new anti-fraud tools were rolled out.
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What to do if you received a message about your benefits
If you receive an alarming message from the SSA, try to stay calm. With ongoing policy changes and operational disruptions, many issues are likely due to temporary glitches.
Here’s what you can do:
- Call your local SSA office: It may take time to get through due to long wait times, but speaking with an agent directly can clarify your situation.
- Check for news updates: Major issues with benefits are usually reported by media outlets. You can also follow trusted Social Security-related forums or social media for similar user experiences.
- Connect with others: if other recipients are reporting the same issue, it’s likely a widespread problem and not specific to your account.
- Check your bank account: Even if the website shows incorrect information, your benefits may still be deposited. SSI recipients who received the erroneous notice were ultimately paid on time.
With changes at Social Security expected to continue for the foreseeable future, it’s important to stay informed. Be sure to monitor your account regularly, and keep the number of your local field office handy in case you need it.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
