Social Security Faces Staff Cuts, Raising Concerns Over Service Delays

The Trump administration's plan to reduce the Social Security Administration workforce by 7,000 has sparked fears of benefit disruptions and longer processing times.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) plans to reduce its workforce from 57,000 to 50,000, the lowest staffing level in 50 years.
Democrats warn that the cuts could lead to delays in processing claims, with retirees and people with disabilities potentially waiting longer for benefits.
The agency announced $800 million in budget cuts, including reductions in hiring, overtime, and IT contracts, alongside office consolidations from 10 regions to four.
Critics, including former SSA Commissioner Martin O'Malley, caution that these changes could disrupt benefit payments within the next 30 to 90 days.
Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek's appointment follows the resignation of Michelle King, who reportedly resisted granting Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency access to sensitive data.