Social Security Chief Says White House Ordered 'Rapid' Phone Service Cutbacks

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Huff Post

Mar 24, 2025, 04:50 PM EDT


WASHINGTON ― The White House requested the rapid changes to phone service that the Social Security Administration plans to put in place next week, the agency’s leader said Monday. In a meeting with advocacy groups that are stakeholders in the agency’s disability and retirement programs, Leland Dudek said the sweeping changes he’s pursued since becoming acting commissioner last month were dialed up by his superiors in the Trump administration.

“He said, ‘The reason that we’re on this timeline is because we received a request from the White House. The leadership above me believes that we should do a rapid rollout,’” a source in the meeting told HuffPost. Two additional sources confirmed the account.

Dudek last week announced that for any transaction requiring Social Security claimants to verify their identities, starting on March 31 they will no longer be able to do so over the phone. Instead, claimants who can’t use the agency’s website will have to verify their identities in-person by visiting a field office. In a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said simply, “Any American receiving Social Security benefits will continue to receive them.”

Democratic members of Congress and groups such as the AARP have blasted the proposed change as an unnecessary burden on seniors and people with disabilities. “With Americans already waiting hours to get connected with Social Security on the phone, it is outrageous that under this new policy, older Americans, especially those in rural areas, will have to call, wait on hold for possibly hours, make an appointment, or even take a day off work to claim the benefits they have worked for and earned,” AARP’s Nancy LeaMond warned in a letter to Dudek.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/leland-dudek-social-security-phone-service_n_67e1bb85e4b03e4bddd128db

[MayReasonRule]

1. Doo-dick

Tells ya' all ya' need to know.

[Ray Bruns]

2. People were warned. What else can you say?

[progree]

3. And when they do visit the Social Security office ...

Long waits, waves of calls, web crashes: Social Security is breaking down, Washington Post, 3/25/25
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143425285
Just a couple of snippets from this longer posting --

The employees, with no new training yet on the impending changes, have few answers. "I hope we're going to be here," the employee tells caller after caller. "But I can't guarantee anything."

Scammers are already taking advantage of the chaotic moment, according to internal emails obtained by The Post. . . .

Meanwhile, a DOGE-imposed spending freeze has left many field offices without paper, pens and the phone headsets staff need to do their jobs communicating with callers . . .

. . . in one office mandated return-to-office edict has left 1,200 staffers competing for about 300 parking spots each day (a Philadelphia office). . . staff wake up as early as 4:30 AM to snag a parking spot . . .

[Bengus81]

9. Meaning... it's so busy you might need to get a hotel room for the night from some

mega Hotel chain corporation. Why...they'll be happy to greet you as you spend money you shouldn't have to spend to help them preserve their massive Corporate tax cut until the sun burns out.

See how it all works..........

[Vinca]

4. I wonder if SS will even exist to rehabilitate in 4 years.

[wolfie001]

5. The Govt. would have to somehow force the worst people in the World to heel .......

....... in order to return to a semblance of normalcy: and those people are US billionaires. Good luck with that

[maxsolomon]

15. If Repukes ever want to be elected again, it'd better.

They're touching the 3rd rail. Eventually even MAGATs will notice.

[travelingthrulife]

6. Do these people rent their brains from Trump. Grow a damned spine!

[Grins]

7. What can I say? I tried to help but you voted Republican."

Go for it! Shut it down! Hate ‘big government?’ Well here it is in all its glory! Now swim in it.

[intrepidity]

8. Next up: global database change deleting all payment info

requiring *everyone* to visit a local branch to reinsert their bank data. That alone would cull millions from the roll---those who have other income and don't desperately need what they get from SSA, and those too poor to get to an office.

They'll just say "Whoops! Sorry!"

Wait for it.

[Rainman4u2C]

10. Helpful info here.

https://www.ssa.gov/news/identity-proofing.html?tl=0%2C1%2C2%2C3%2C4%2C5%2C6%2C11%2C14

[PortTack]

14. Thank you for posting the link....i sure hope it holds...who knows with these thieving gqp

How do these f..kers sleep at night…or even live inside their skin knowing they are robbing the poorest and most vulnerable in our country?

Oh I forget…their MO in one word…CRUELTY

[orangecrush]

11. President Musk.

[DENVERPOPS]

12. Hey BRDS.....separate topic

Why isn't DU covering Heather Cox Richardsons Mar 22??? on Trump Friday night dismantling ALL the top officers in the Military command???????

[BumRushDaShow]

13. You mean regarding this-- ???

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143421798