WASHINGTON – Despite reports circulating that the Social Security Administration is permanently closing local field offices as part of Elon Musk’s DOGE, they are false, administration officials said Friday.
Since January 1, 2025, the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office, the SSA press office said. It said though that from time to time, SSA must temporarily close a local field office for reasons such weather, damage, or facilities issues, and it reopens when the issues are resolved.
It said the agency has announced the permanent closure of only one hearing office, in White Plains.
In early January, the SSA shut down the Poughkeepsie office, saying it would only be temporary during renovations. There has been no announcement of when it would reopen.
In its statement Friday, the SSA said it works closely with local congressional delegations before any office closes permanently. It said the agency also reassigns employees from an effected office to other locations to help communities access in-person services.
On Friday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said SSA has already announced plans to cut 7,000 staff members despite the agency being at a 50-year low, limiting phone support for seniors and the closing of the Poughkeepsie and White Plains field offices.
The Newburgh office was closed in July 2024 and relocated to the Town of Wallkill, during the end of the Biden presidency.
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