New York Elected Officials Concerned About the Impact of Federal Cuts to Social Security Administration Resources.

United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, and New York City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala held a press conference outside the Social Security Administration (SSA) office in East Harlem, New York City on March 30th to express concerns over the agency’s plan to significantly reduce manpower and close multiple offices. They pointed out that this move could adversely affect the elderly and vulnerable groups who rely on Social Security benefits and urged the federal executive branch to review the plans.

According to the federal government’s plan, the SSA is expected to cut approximately 7,000 employees. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responsible for overseeing the reform plan, has also listed 47 SSA office locations across the United States for closure, including two offices in New York State.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand noted that the SSA’s current workforce is at its lowest point in almost 50 years. The DOGE has proposed limiting phone support services and shifting some operations to online platforms, measures that could lead to longer wait times for phone consultations, difficulty in office appointments, and website crashes. This especially poses a significant barrier to elderly individuals who are not familiar with online operations.

Gillibrand stated that her New York office has recently received numerous complaints from the public, reporting long wait times or disconnections when trying to contact the SSA, resulting in unmet needs. She emphasized that the federal government must provide clearer explanations and present specific plans regarding staff reductions and resource allocations to maintain service quality and efficiency.

Gillibrand highlighted that approximately 4 million people in New York State receive Social Security benefits, including 125,000 children. In New York City alone, around 1.5 million residents rely on Social Security benefits as their primary means of support, with an annual disbursement amounting to $2.3 billion.