Leaked memo: DOGE plots to cut Social Security phone support
Source: Axios
12 hours ago
An internal memo from the Social Security Administration proposes changes to its phone service that could derail the benefits application process for many Americans.
Why it matters: The Trump administration has repeatedly said it doesn't plan changes to Social Security, other than to address fraud and waste but these proposals risk "crippling" a system already plagued by delays, and facing staffing cuts, former agency officials tell Axios.
The latest: Axios obtained a draft of the memo, signed by acting deputy Social Security commissioner for operations Doris Diaz on March 13, and written on behalf of the agency's operations department.
Its existence was first reported by Popular.Info, which published screenshots of a subsequent version, sent to acting commissioner Leland Dudek a little later that day.
Context: The memo was sent one day after the agency denied, in a press release, a report it was scrapping its toll-free phone line.
The agency, at the time, said the change would only preclude people from changing their bank account information by phone. But the new memo issued one day later proposes changes that will further limit what people can do by phone. Under the proposal, phone service would still be available to people who call the agency and don't need to verify their identity, like someone making a general inquiry. The draft of the memo viewed by Axios says the proposed limitations will be "significant" for those living in rural areas in particular.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/03/17/social-security-trump-doge

GreenWave
(11,080 posts)So have they thought about which way rural America votes?
travelingthrulife
(2,084 posts)They don't care.
C_U_L8R
(47,129 posts)Ever try to call Amazon or Facebook? They make it as hard as possible to reach them because they don't want to speak to customers. they call it enlightened self-service but it's actually no service at all. Maximizing profits with the minimum effort and expense, because they serve shareholders, not you. On the other hand, a public service SHOULD be all about you. You are both the customer and the shareholder. And these silicon valley ketamine douchenozzles ought to be tossed in the Potomac.
BumRushDaShow
(150,990 posts)to become the fancy equivalent to the "Automated Voice menu" hell.
travelingthrulife
(2,084 posts)Lonestarblue
(12,552 posts)And if you close rural offices so they cant sign up or talk to someone when theyve erroneously been declared dead, even better. I hate this administration and Trump/Musk completely. They are joined at the hip to destroy everything good in this country.
IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,170 posts)... make it as painful/delayed as possible. I have a friend who had an on the job injury from working at an auto parts manufacturer (Lear) in Roscommon, Michigan, plus fibromyalgia. It took her 5 years plus a lawyer to get her disability SS claim approved. Just giving folks an example of a real experience, before the SS cuts.
mellow
(103 posts)... so you can't call, you can't visit ... it's almost like they're trying to make the system fail, so they could convince us to privatize social security, hand our money over to them, and leave us at the mercy of the stock market.
StarryNite
(11,501 posts)FoggyLake
(239 posts)IrishBubbaLiberal
(1,397 posts)If you are old and weak, and maybe sickly,,,
the MULTI- BILLIONAIRE asshole Musk is cutting SS staff and even closing some regional/local Social Security Administration offices that US citizens depend on.
And plans to, is going to severely slash SS phone support, if not completely eliminate.
And on top of that is cutting/eliminating 1,000s and 1,000s of SS staff.
And reducing the number of localSS offices.
So if, when youre old .you may now have to drive farther away to get to a Social Security Administration office, waiting longer and longer to get an appointment scheduled ,
Not be able to get telephone support from SS offices,
And/wait hours and hours and hours ON HOLD WAITING.
Who THE FUCK GAVE A FUCKING BILLIONAIRE THE RIGHT TO TAKE AWAY FROM AMERICANS !?.!!