Phone lines jammed. Websites crashing. Field offices turning away walk-ins.
That’s the new normal at the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a Trump administration “efficiency” overhaul, spearheaded by tech mogul Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), cuts staff and services across the nation.
Don’t miss
- I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
- Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10
These measures have led to significant delays and disruptions for millions of seniors reliant on their benefits.
In Wisconsin, one Social Security office is reducing its workforce by more than 58%, while other locations have experienced similar cuts, according to Business Insider. As a result, seniors are encountering longer wait times, reduced phone support and, in some cases, the closure of local field offices.
Founder of All Seniors Foundation Gevorg Adjian perhaps put it best.
“The system is a shambles," he told the Los Angeles Times.
The American Federation of Government Employees warns that these reductions are straining the system, leading to increased backlogs and service interruptions.
How might the cuts affect Social Security?
While cutting taxes may be a popular idea in theory, it could come at the expense of a program millions of Americans rely on for stability whether it’s for retirement, a disability or the loss of a loved one.
While Trump insists these moves would make the government more efficient and help working Americans, the concern is clear that without a solid plan to replace the lost revenue, Social Security could be headed for a financial cliff.
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CFRB), Trump’s plans could add up to $2.3 trillion to Social Security’s cash deficit over the next decade. This would lead to the program’s trust funds becoming insolvent by 2031, three years earlier than currently projected, and a 33% across-the-board cut in benefits by 2035.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
‘The system, it’s broken down’
The impact of the staff cuts has already been felt by many Americans.
For people like 52-year-old Veronica Sanchez, a Canoga Park medical practice manager, the stakes are high. According to the L.A. Times, she’s been fighting phone queues and error messages for days to secure a document that determines whether her parents, who depend on daily nursing care and insulin, keep their medical coverage.
“I’m gonna have to take time out of my work to stand in line and hopefully get this resolved,” she said. “The system, it’s broken down.”
The Trump-Musk duo’s vision? A lean, tech-forward Social Security system.
But in practice, it can leave older Americans behind. Online-only applications, a push to phase out paper checks and clunky verification systems have left millions locked out, especially those without smartphones or email.
Even walk-ins are being told to go home. At a Los Angeles field office, Andrew Taylor, who is currently unhoused, was told he needed to schedule an appointment online to receive a benefits letter that would let him apply for food stamps.
“It’s ridiculous,” he told the L.A. Times. “They said they would have to mail it to me and there’s nothing they could do for me today … Poor people always seem to get the worst of it.”
A coalition of advocacy groups, including the American Association of People with Disabilities, filed a federal lawsuit, calling the changes “destabilizing” and irreparably harmful, according to the L.A. Times. It argues the administration is gutting one of America’s most vital programs under the guise of efficiency.
The lawsuit claims the overhaul prioritizes ideology over obligation — “placing governance over the governed.”
From Arizona to Southern California, even Trump supporters are feeling the pinch.
Teresa Boswell, who voted for President Trump, is still trying to access her monthly benefits.
“I didn’t know he was going to pull this,” she told the New York Times. “This is a joke.”
Boswell found herself fuming outside the Social Security office in Glendale in early April, unable to sign up for $1,200 in monthly benefits after she retired.
April 14 marked a major shift with many services previously available by phone now being online-only. The SSA insists it’s reallocating staff to “mission-critical services,” but insiders warn the agency is barely holding together.
With lawsuits mounting, pressure is on the White House to reverse course or risk an administrative implosion that could define the 2026 midterms.
If you’re relying on Social Security, buckle up. The safety net may still be there, but accessing it may be harder than ever.
What you can do now
Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley has expressed grave concerns about the future of the program. As reported by CNN back in March, he predicted that without immediate action, the system could collapse within 90 days.
“Everything they’re doing is driving this agency to system collapse,” O’Malley told CNN. “It will lead to interruptions in service, and that will ultimately cascade into more frequent system interruptions for the processing of claims, ultimately leading to system collapse and eventually the interruption of benefits.”
But there are some proactive steps you can take now to lessen the impact of potential disruptions.
O’Malley advises beneficiaries to start saving now to prepare for potential delays or reductions in payments.
Along with setting aside emergency savings, make sure that all personal and financial information is up to date with the SSA, and explore alternative income sources or assistance programs.
Stay on top of updates regarding any changes to payment schedules or procedures by monitoring official SSA communications.
For the most current information and resources, beneficiaries can visit the official SSA website or contact their local SSA office.
What to read next
- Don’t have the cash to pay Uncle Sam in 2025? You may already be eligible for a ‘streamlined’ handshake with the IRS — here’s how it works and how it can potentially save you thousands
- Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
- Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
