According to The New York Times, Elon Musk has repeatedly stated, without evidence, that the Social Security Agency is full of fraud. He called it a Ponzi Scheme, and said that his DOGE, Department of Government Efficiency, would scrutinize the Agency’s spending. He has repeatedly Stated, without evidence, that payments are being made to dead persons (which has been debunked by former employees) and undocumented immigrants also receive checks.
Recently one of Musk’s closest advisors took a position at the Social Security Agency. Antonio Gracias, a private equity investor, is one of nine members of DOGE who have arrived at Social Security offices in recent days. Garcia suggests Musk has made overhauling Social Security a Priority. Garcia has also claimed that the United States was flirting with becoming a kleptocracy And a “Latin American style Autocracy.”
Tiffany Flick, a career agency official who retired in mid February, said DOGE appeared to be seeking sensitive information and data that fell into three categories: allegations about benefits being paid out to dead people; concerns about multiple benefits going to a single social security number; and payments going to people without a social security number.
(Sounds like the allegations Musk has been making, doesn’t it). However, Flick says those concerns are invalid. While Trump and Musk continue to publicly make the allegations that DOGE is supposedly investigating, Democrats believe Republicans intend to use those false statements as a pretense for scrutiny and cuts.
On March 17, Emily Peck, with Axios, reported that a leaked memo claimed that the social security Phone service would be cut in an effort to combat fraud even though former employees warned that the cost to implement the change could cripple the social security offices.
The Agency has announced plans to cut 12% of the workforce and to close field offices even though recipients have reported delays in getting help with claims and agency data shows backlogs. Lee Dudek, acting Commissioner, said some office closures were offices only used for hearings that are now held online. Another former official said the cost for these changes would overpower any savings that would come from cracking down on fraud or waste.
The leaked internal memo was sent one day after the agency denied in a press release a report saying it was scrapping it’s toll free phone line. The agency said at the time the change would only preclude people from changing their bank information by phone. A new memo issued one day later, proposes changes that will further limit what people can do by phone. A general inquiry could still be made by phone. Currently if you can’t verify your identity online, you can do it by phone. The March 13 memo proposes ending that option and requiring applicants who can’t use online verification to do so in person at a local field office. (That is of course, if you can find one within 500 miles).
The memo ultimately sent to Dudek acknowledges “Service disruption and operational strain” is a risk to this plan. Remember they are also going to cut staff and field offices. Implementing this change would “increase field office traffic, longer call wait times and delayed processing.
On March 19, Media reported that Social Security will now require an in person visit to originally file for benefits.
How’s Your Mom? How’s Your Dad? How’s your Grandma? How’s your Grandpa?
With all the chaos and confusion being imposed by DOGE, it would be a good idea to make sure your personal information is correct. Report any life changes, especially change of address, change in marital status and any basic personal information. It would also be a good idea to make a copy of your Total Earnings History in case files get lost or deleted.
