Disability Advocates Sue Social Security and DOGE To Stop Service Cuts

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Last edited Fri Apr 4, 2025, 06:24 AM - Edit history (1)

'Disability Advocates Sue Social Security Administration and DOGE to stop service cuts,' CBNC, April 3, 2025. Ed. - Key Points: New Social Security Admin. reforms under DOGE are unlawful and harmful to vulnerable beneficiaries who rely on the program, a federal lawsuit alleges. Changes including staff reductions, the elimination of certain offices and new requirements to seek in person services have made it more difficult for individuals with disabilities and older adults to access benefits, according to the claim. The Dept. of Govt. Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly aiming to reform and downsize the SSA with office closures, cutbacks on phone services and new rules requiring in-person visits for some prospective beneficiaries to register.
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A group of disability advocates filed a federal lawsuit against the Social Security Administration and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency on Wednesday aimed at stopping cuts to the agency’s services. Recent changes at the Social Security Administration under DOGE — including staff reductions, the elimination of certain offices and new requirements to seek in-person services — have made it more difficult for individuals with disabilities and older adults to access benefits, the lawsuit argues.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by co-counsels Justice in Aging and Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP. The plaintiffs include the National Federation of the Blind, the American Association of People with Disabilities, Deaf Equality, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the Massachusetts Senior Action Council and individual beneficiaries. “The defendants’ actions are an unprecedented and unconstitutional assault on Social Security benefits, concealed beneath the hollow pretense of bureaucratic ‘reform,’” the complaint states.

In nine weeks, the new administration has “upended” the agency with “sweeping and destabilizing policy changes,” the plaintiffs claim, that have shifted agency functions to local offices while slashing telephone services. Social Security changes may impact service, benefit payments. Trump pick to lead Social Security faces questions on DOGE. “The result is a systematic dismantling of SSA’s core functions, leaving millions of beneficiaries without the essential benefits they are legally entitled to,” the lawsuit complaint states.

The “mass restructuring” of the agency is unlawful and violates the Rehabilitation Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, the lawsuit argues. The changes also violate multiple constitutional provisions, including the First Amendment right to petition the government for redress of grievances, according to the plaintiffs. With 1.1 million disability claims pending, the recent actions could also be life threatening to individuals who are dying or going bankrupt while waiting for decisions, they allege. - READ MORE...

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/03/disability-advocates-sue-social-security-and-doge-to-stop-service-cuts-.html