The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) is aiming to reduce the visitation volume of its offices by half next year, according to a report obtained by the Associated Press.
For years, SSA local offices have served as the community-based face of SSA, assisting individuals in applying for retirement and disability benefits, obtaining social security cards, and providing other services in a face-to-face manner.
The internal operational plan for SSA offices in November reveals that the number of visitors to the offices is expected to decrease by 50% in the 2026 fiscal year compared to the previous year, with the number not exceeding 15 million visits.
In the view of SSA spokesman Barton Mackey, advancements in technology have led more Americans to opt for managing their benefits easily and quickly through the internet or over the phone. Mackey also stated that under President Trump’s leadership, SSA is working faster to serve a larger number of Americans than ever before to ensure customer satisfaction.
Despite this, concerns have been raised about the potential decline in face-to-face visits with the widespread use of internet technology, leading to the closure of more offices and job layoffs for employees.
Jessica LaPointe, who represents the 30,000 SSA employees at the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), emphasized that local offices are crucial for the quality of community life, especially for those who may not have the resources or skills to navigate the online world and should be able to seek help in person.
The SSA website currently lists information about office closures, while some offices are temporarily providing services only by phone until further notice.
The closures are said to be temporary due to maintenance or facility issues, and the agency is working to address these problems.
The SSA’s reform plans have faced multiple lawsuits, with legal group Democracy Forward filing a lawsuit in October demanding the release of public records regarding service interruptions and policy changes.