The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established in 2025 under the administration of President Donald Trump and led by Elon Musk, has implemented spending reduction measures at several federal agencies. Among the most affected is the Social Security Administration (SSA), a key entity in the distribution of benefits to older adults, people with disabilities and low-income families.
Although benefit amounts have not changed, operational changes—such as staff cuts and office closures—could lead to delays in access to these resources, directly affecting hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries across the United States, not only those receiving Social Security benefits, but also those claiming SNAP benefits.
Specific cuts to the SSA, ordered by DOGE
According to current statistics, DOGE intends to cut 7,000 positions at SSA, accounting for 12% of its employment. In addition, 15 local offices in rural and urban locations have been shuttered, with another 10 scheduled to go by the end of 2025. These changes include the deletion of telephone services for updating direct deposit data, which complicates the procedure for recipients who do not have internet access.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 80% of seniors in the United States depend on SSA benefits, with 60% receiving more than half of their income. Delays in processing applications, particularly for disability payments, which may take up to two years, may worsen food and financial insecurity in low-income families.
According to a March 13 study, rural households and families with handicapped members would be the most affected since their buying power will be adversely impacted immediately and in the long run if benefits are not given appropriately and on time, and if no cutbacks are made.
Cuts to Social Security: how popular are they?
While former Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O’Malley warns of a “system collapse” within 90 days owing to a shortage of skilled workers, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defends the cutbacks as a measure to “eradicate waste and modernize services” (Axios, March 13). Organizations like Social Security Works argue that these policies “weaken the social safety net.”
According to statistics reported in American media on March 8, the Social Security Administration has decreased its phone hours to four hours per day in 20 states. This impacts recipients who need help processing claims or updating information.
According to an Urban Institute research, in remote regions, where 35% of offices have closed since 2023, customers must drive up to 150 km to obtain in-person services, implying that these cutbacks began with the Joe Biden administration and are being exacerbated by Trump.
SNAP benefits would also be affected
The cutbacks have an influence on related programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and housing assistance. As Business Insider reported on March 1, surviving SSA employees have taken on extra responsibilities, increasing wait times to settle interagency issues. This might delay the distribution of combined benefits, which are critical for families earning less than $30,000 per year.
On February 11, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen presented legislation to prohibit changes to the Social Security Administration, claiming that they “put millions of Americans at risk.” Simultaneously, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is planning a lawsuit against DOGE for alleged violations of the Equal Access to Public Services Act, which mandates the preservation of operational channels of care for vulnerable groups.
DOGE has pushed for the shift of processes to digital platforms as a compensating measure. However, a Pew Research Center survey (from 2024) shows that 27% of elderly persons do not use the internet, and 40% of rural households have restricted access. For them, digitization does not replace individual attention.
The Brookings Institution estimates that benefit delays might lower GDP by much to 0.4% in 2026 by decreasing consumption in low-income families. They would also raise dependence on state emergency programs, which are anticipated to cost more than $2.5 billion per year by March 2025, according to a McKinsey & Company research.