Social Security Changes to Impact Republican States the Most

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Mar 28, 2025 at 4:49 PM EDT | Updated Mar 28, 2025 at 10:42 PM EDT


The Social Security Administration (SSA) is making a major change to its services that could impact Republican states the most. Newsweek reached out to the Social Security Administration via email for comment.

Why It Matters

Nearly nine in 10 Americans over the age of 65 are earning monthly Social Security payments, which often make up a substantial portion of their retirement income. The SSA announced that it would end phone identity verification services on March 31 but has postponed the change to April 14 after backlash from seniors who've relied on the practice. This could significantly impact seniors living in rural areas, with a higher number living in Republican states.

What To Know

Individuals looking to apply for Social Security benefits or change their payment information must do so either online or in person next month as Social Security ends its phone services. There is an exception for those who need to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income. The SSA's phone changes, which are now slated to go into effect on April 14, will impact seniors across the country. However, those without broadband internet especially rely on phone services for accessibility.

Of those without broadband internet access, most are concentrated in the South and typically live in large rural populations, with their local government more likely to be run by Republicans. Seniors who are unable to verify their identity through the online Social Security portal will be instructed to visit their local SSA office. "A lot of rural areas, many of which are Republican strongholds, don't have reliable broadband. And they might not have a Social Security office within 50 miles. These communities will be hit hardest," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings Podcast, told Newsweek.




Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-changes-impact-republican-states-most-2052211

[Lovie777]

1. Again...................

they voted for this and all the terrible things happening now.

[mitch96]

12. If it's true, good...They got the gov't they deserved. Vote for a felon and get robbed... nt

[delisen]

13. South has large Black population voted Democratic

It adds to the pain of those already being hurt by their state government.

The most we can hope is that some of the white population will wake up and start screaming.

[Callie1979]

2. 18+ months before the '26 midterms.

Thats a lot of time to piss off a LOT of older voters

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

4. But will they remember come election time?

More importantly, will they be angry enough to actually vote Democrat instead of Republican?

[dutch777]

7. Hold town halls in the Repug districts with an empty seat for their House rep. Speaks volumes.

You are right though, many folks are so programmed to pull that Repug lever may take an act of God to get them to do otherwise. Common sense clearly has not worked to date.

[slightlv]

21. No... the question is really

How many of us will still be alive. Not hyperbole.

[Born Free]

25. Alive? Maybe not according to Social Security

I remember reading about a senior (man) that was listed as dead by Social Security (DOGE?) and he has been unable to get it fixed.

[we can do it]

3. FAFO

[FakeNoose]

5. Most of them watch Faux Noise exclusively, and Faux never told them

... about Chump's plans to disrupt the Social Security system. I'm willing to bet that Faux never told its viewers about ANY of Chump's evil plans, but I can't be sure because I never watch Faux myself.

[Farmer-Rick]

9. If they don't hear it on Fox they think it didn't happen

The MAGA elderly at the Senior Center I visit for Tai Chi classes say Musk is just "fixing" Social Security. The pedo Trump administration is simply "removing graft and corruption" from the Social Security system and they understand there might be some "pain" adjusting. So, they aren't worried about losing most of the Social Security they paid for.

Stupid is as Stupid does. Most of these folks can't even use a computer. Really, when I told them I was taking a creative writing class at a college nearby, they acted surprised. They asked if I had to use a laptop or cell phone to submit my work. That was the daunting part of taking almost free classes for them - using a laptop.

[Autumn]

6. Okay. It makes me happy when people get what they vote for.

[slightlv]

22. Hea Autumn!

I live on red states KS and I voted and gotv for Harris/Walz. SSA is all our income... so there's no moving... unless someone wants to sponsor us and help get us set up afterwards!

Or are we suppose to just suck it up and die fast, like our reps are saying. Do you just blow us off? We've been Dems all our lives... and we vote every election.... local city county state and fed. Are we just white trash now?

Im so disappointed at you guys reactions. But it feels good to get one over on one of those old rednecks, doesn't it. I scream, I yell, I cry in my own home. But I'm not to.begrudge the senior couple across the street who flew a trump flag while I planted Harris signs on my yard and up and down the block. He also helped get my car out of a snowball on the day of my mom's funeral.

Let me clue you in to just one red state senior family here. My husband has at least bronchitis but is afraid of the money drain if it's more than that... we have MA.. Humana. Ive been thinking of ways to end my life and trying to come up with reasons not to do it. My anxiety and terror of what's ahead is too much to bear. It falls on me to figure out how to keep our heads above water, and its getting harder and harder to do. And believe me... whether red or blue in this state, you're on your own.

So give your blue red staters a little love and thought. We're stuck and just trying to help each other through this.

[Autumn]

24. You do know my post is aimed at the republican voters? Your vote didn't change the red states to blue.

You have nothing to feel bad about . But my Maggat relatives in those states? Hell yes I want them to suffer. I plan on enjoying every second of any pain they feel.

[slightlv]

28. Yeah... we were getting really friendly with our neighbors across the street

when we first moved into our house. Former military police, just like me. But politics creeped in and as hubs and I walked back to our place, I said... damn! They're rednecks. But I will say they've helped us out more than a few times, and not just getting my car out of the snowbank so I wasn't late to my own mom's funeral! I feel bad they've been so screwed up in the head. But they're natives. I am, too, but the time in the military changed my whole outlook... which was pretty damned progressive even as I came of age to have a critical thought in my head. Ended up first marrying an Alabamian from Dauphin Island and it lasted less than 4 years. My "associations" and wanting to go to college after I got out were the #1 reasons.

Moved up here to help my Dad when he was sick. We had the same blood type. Stayed after he died, because Mom was moving on in years. Then we moved to this little city to be just a few blocks from her. When I first got back here after my time in Service, I was shocked that the same arguments that were going on when I left were STILL going on!

Add to that I'd lost all hope and faith in Christianity after the Evangelicals and Charismatics got going so strong. I could see the shape of things even way back then and wanted nothing to do with it. So, I'm not just Blue, I'm Progressive Blue! I'm bleeding freaking heart blue! Empathy is what I taught when I was doing classes. I'm a sassy old lady who gives everybody a chance to disappoint her, a critter-rescuer, and a Pagan with a great love for Mother Earth. To say I'm a dark horse around here is probably an understatement!

And yes, I know you were talking R's in your message, Amber. I just wanted to remind you and others that there are deep blue people in these states that are going to be hurting just as much... and probably MORE (because we don't cheat for our money). And reading through all the responses, especially as terrorized as I've been over the last week with musky and SSA and having the dark thoughts that accompanied it, it just hit me at a really low point. I've upped my meds, myself. Hopefully it'll help.

[Granny Blue]

27. ME Too! I understand how you feel....

Blue voter in a blue state, and I am also thinking about ways to leave the planet. Disabled with a spine injury since the age of 4, getting worse as I age, partner is a Vietnam era vet with a cardiac stent, and Social Security/SSI is our main source of income. With Medicare/Medicaid disappearing, I am wondering if I should rush into a surgery that may allow me a little more independence as we age or just enjoy my life until Social Security goes away and then finis. I think there are many in every state facing similar situations. Let’s face it, with the economy the Malignant Mango is creating, No state, blue or red, will have the resources to save us! Best to you, and try to enjoy the little things every day.

[slightlv]

29. Granny... I feel for you and your back!!!

I've had enough surgeries on mine the last doc said he'd not touch it again... and still, I can't stand straight up or walk more than a few feet without doubling over in pain. What makes it a real blast for me is I've got fibromyalgia and lupus. It used to be I could get a job with the drop of a hat. My resume is sparkling! But I was a hell of a lot younger and these things hadn't affected me yet. Today, there's no way. My job of over 20 years refused me part-time telework (even everything I did was on the Cloud via WiFi!). That's when I retired. The next year, EVERYBODY was working from home. And, that's the way my life has been for 69 years, it seems!

I'd say if a surgery is certain to give you relief, think hard positively about it. If you're not certain, think even harder. If you're like us, money is so tight that there's not even enough "discretionary" spending to cover the biannual tax payments, let alone the house and car insurance rates now. We're down to eating one meal a day and snacking on peanut butter like kids already. Anything else, and it tips us completely over the edge into hell-on-earth.

Good luck to you. If you have the surgery, let me know how it comes out. I'd love to hear of yours being successful... !

[Granny Blue]

32. Yeah, FMS with a screwed up spine is the pits

Thanks for your response! I have cervical and thoracic injuries causing partial loss of function in all four limbs, upper back, shoulders, etc. I was fortunate to get PT from spine specialists last year and now the power wheelchair sits in the closet! I get around the house pretty well, and I can walk 1.8 miles a couple times a week with Trek Sticks! Such Joy!

Surgery at this point looks 50/50 for results increasing independence, but walking around with a failed cervical fusion is not an enticing prospect. Workup pending…I have absolutely nothing constructive to offer about lupus. I’m completely ignorant on the subject. But every problem comes with its own set of restrictions and it can be so hard to integrate them all! I feel for you!

I highly recomend neurostimulators for pain! I got one just below my thoracic injury about 3 years ago, and it gave me the keys to control the FMS and regain my ability to walk. It controls the pain in my lower body so that I can read the FMS cues and deal with them. The worst part now is having to sit out the demonstrations because I can’t risk even a fall! Take good care of yourself and remember that worrying won’t change the future. One day, one step at a time, and the sun will rise in the east tomorrow. Best of luck and enjoy the little things. Life is good sometimes! yourock:

[EarthFirst]

8. "Have the day you voted for..." nt

[Clouds Passing]

10. Let the red state riots begin. They'll be acomin fer yer gunz.

[wolfie001]

11. I weep for all of Dems who are being subjected to this horseshit!!!

Every republican voter can go fuck the hell off.

[the_liberal_grandpa]

14. As Hunter S. Thompson would say....

[Aristus]

15. Well, Republican states could have avoided this by not, you know,

voting for Republicans.

Not every problem has a simple solution. But I’m always amazed by the people who don’t chose the simple solution when it’s obviously one of the available options.

[Elessar Zappa]

33. There's many black Democrats in the South who didn't vote for the Republican.

These people count too.

[republianmushroom]

16. Good

They voted or him

[Ol Janx Spirit]

17. Who could've ever guessed that a real estate developer from New York and a Canadian/South African billionaire

would not understand the plight of red states? Even better, who would've ever guessed that politicians from those same red states would be so bought-off that they would never stand up for the constituents that put them in office? And the fact that so much of this economic self-owning is driven by being convinced over many decades that the unfettered access to guns and the evil influence of gays are things to put above all other considerations is just mind-boggling. Living in one of the red states of the Stupid-Belt and spending years trying to convince people that the culture wars were only a way to secure their fealty to economic interests that did not benefit them, I am really interested in seeing how this actually plays out. A lot of people in these states may be less inclined towards using intellect to solve their problems, but they have one thing in common: their precarious economic situation is backstopped by government spending on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP benefits and so much more. And not just for them personally but for the communities they live in. For many years they've absolutely refused to see the reality that so much of they they do have comes from federal system they hate with a burning passion. So many seniors here would have nothing without the forced savings of the Social Security program--and even much of that gets stolen by their drug-addicted grandchildren who are benefitting from that program even though they don't know it. They would also have no access to healthcare whatsoever were it not for Medicare and Medicaid spending. Even with it rural hospitals and healthcare providers are hanging on by a thread. Sadly, so many people in red states only have any value to society at all because of the very government programs they decry, and without those programs there really are no stores, no doctors, no opportunity whatsoever considering that most companies do not want to locate in places where they have to provide all of the services for their employees. So, if--and probably when--these cuts enacted by completely out-of-touch billionaires and supported by the very representatives that are supposed to be looking out for them rather than lining their own pockets begin to really impact these communities I would venture a guess that it will be the one and only thing that can finally break the MAGA spell for so many of these red state citizens.

[Butterflylady]

18. One word......G..O..O..D.......

That's all folks.....

[twodogsbarking]

19. I won't be one of those people to say "I told you so". I will say "WTF did you expect?".

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

20. They shit their beds. They can sleep in them.

[Evolve Dammit]

23. I really am worried about the disabled and elderly with no savings who may not get a check. Cruelty is the point.

[Skittles]

26. MAYBE a few red staters will figure out REPUKES DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEM

WE CAN ONLY HOPE

[slightlv]

30. If my neighbors are any indication,

some definitely aren't changing. They're brainwashed by Fox. Anytime I've been over there, the TV is on and Fox is playing. I don't care what time of day or evening I've been there. You listen to that crap, and then have repug politicians echoing what is being said on Fox over and over again. Well, we've all heard about the speed between a lie and a truth. And my neighbor's freak trump flag still proudly waves from their flag pole. At least they finally lowered it to where it's UNDER the American Flag... after I reminded them of the statute.

[Skittles]

31. one thing I have noticed though

is a lot of repukes seem to think the same garbage that works well with their ridiculously easily manipulated base will play well with others - NOT!!!!! It makes them look even more clueless - to us *AND* the rest of the world