Starting March 31, Americans won’t be able to apply for key Social Security benefits by phone—part of a sweeping rollback courtesy of Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
- The agency’s acting commissioner confirmed massive customer service cutbacks, longer waits, and looming office closures—triggering alarm among advocates and everyday people who depend on the nearly 90-year-old program.
WHY IT MATTERS: Trump and his billionaire allies are sabotaging Social Security from the inside, threatening a lifeline for millions just to justify their war on government.
THE DETAILS: An internal memo obtained by the Washington Post reveals the changes could flood field offices with up to 85,000 more weekly visits.
- Phone services will be sharply reduced, forcing millions to rely on online systems or in-person visits—options that aren’t accessible to everyone.
- The agency will also close nearly 50 field offices, slash staffing by 12%, and halt walk-in services almost entirely.
- Only 47% of daily callers to the agency’s 800-number are actually reaching a human, down sharply from last year.
Trump and Elon Musk have spread lies about Social Security fraud to justify the cuts.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Critics say this isn’t about efficiency—it’s about dismantling social programs so the rich and big corporations will pay less in taxes.
- Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee to run SSA—Fiserv CEO Frank Bisignano—is set to testify Tuesday. He’s yet another billionaire executive tapped to hollow out a public agency.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Senate Finance Committee will weigh Bisignano’s nomination. Progressives are demanding answers—and protections—for the 70 million Americans relying on Social Security.