The Social Security Administration (SSA) has been facing challenges for years due to understaffing, underfunding, and an outdated infrastructure that has impacted millions of Americans. In January 2025, President Trump authorized Elon Musk to establish DOGE, which granted considerable authority to reduce funding for government agencies, with the intent of curbing federal spending and minimizing inefficiency. DOGE’s stated objectives included modernizing information technology, enhancing productivity, and reducing excessive regulation and expenditures. However, budget reductions have compounded difficulties for agencies already facing operational struggles, and in particular, the SSA.
According to The Washington Post, delays at the SSA have intensified as a result of DOGE's measures, such as workforce reductions, early retirements, and office closures. These changes have had far-reaching consequences for individuals nationwide. While the Trump Administration has claimed improvements, such as shorter wait times to reach customer service representatives, the experiences and data reported by both claimants and the SSA employees differ significantly. Although telephone wait times may have decreased, callers are now routed to offices outside their local area, which can prevent access to complete and relevant information. This shift frequently results in inefficiencies, as representatives may lack the necessary knowledge or training to resolve specific inquiries.
Additionally, reduced staffing has led to increased wait times for hearings, decisions, and benefit disbursements. The expedited claims process, previously available for individuals facing urgent financial hardship, no longer moves as swiftly as before. For example, some clients experiencing homelessness continue to face extended waiting periods for hearings, even when their cases are designated as expedited, such as our client, who has been living in his car for months. Even worse, thousands of claimants die waiting for their claims to be processed completely.
While DOGE initiatives may have achieved cost savings, they exacerbated many existing issues within the SSA. Potential solutions could include rehiring experienced staff to address the backlog and streamlining administrative procedures, such as reducing redundant paperwork, to improve efficiency without compromising service quality.
