'So they can rob it': Trump Social Security cuts will result in a new burden for millions

A new analysis Released on Friday argues that the reductions suggested by the Trump administration to Social Security services across the country will impose a "substantial additional strain" on countless individuals, especially those residing in remote regions or facing challenges with transportation or movement.

Individuals receiving Social Security benefits can no longer change their direct deposit details exclusively through telephone calls. To modify this information, instead of answering security queries over the phone, beneficiaries must now go through a multi-factor authentication procedure involving a single-use PIN code or personally visit a Social Security office.

The center-left research organization presenting this fresh examination, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), cautioned on Friday that despite assertions from Trump administration officials at the Social Security Administration (SSA) suggesting the change aims to decrease fraudulent activities, "data from the agency itself indicates that direct deposit fraud is an extremely minor issue, constituting less than one-hundredth of one percent of total benefits wrongly allocated."

A document The agency provides "projected burden estimates," suggesting that approximately 2 million recipients will be required to go to a field office due to the modified procedure.

A report from CBPP released in April estimated that some 6 million live more than a 45-mile trip away from the nearest Social Security field office.

"The new PIN code requirement will be impossible for many beneficiaries to meet," according to the analysis from CBPP released Friday. "Many seniors and people with disabilities lack internet service, computers or smartphones, or the technological savvy to navigate SSA's online services."

Furthermore, the analysis notes, “the PIN requirement necessitates callers to go through multiple steps of multifactor authentication and create a PIN code during their conversation with an agent. Alternatively, if they lack an account, they must disconnect, set up an online profile, and then dial back—an appreciable hassle considering many SSA callers fail to connect with an agent initially, and the average waiting period for a callback from SSA is around 2.5 hours.”

Alex Lawson, who serves as the executive director of Social Security Works , told Common Dreams On Friday, the CBPP analysis reveals how "the Trump administration along with its supporters is conducting an all-out assault on Social Security. While compelling numerous Americans to visit Social Security offices, they are simultaneously reducing a significant portion of their staff."

Lawson further stated, "Millions of Americans are being pushed towards Social Security offices even as they slash a significant portion of the staff." He continued, "The objective of the Trump-Musk administration is clear: To dismantle Social Security so they can exploit it. Whenever individuals cannot receive their benefits due to any circumstance, it effectively amounts to a reduction in those benefits."

Trump, with the help of his billionaire advisor Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency , has strived to reduce government expenditure and workforce. tracker from The New York Times estimates that there has been a 5% staff reduction at SSA, but total planned reductions at the agency could ultimately cut staff by 17%.

Reporting from NPR from last week highlighted How employees at the SSA are finding it difficult to cope, as a reduced workforce attempts to cater to more than 70 million recipients.

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