US Social Security weighs phone service cuts, report says

[Northeast Agent]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-social-security-weighs-phone-service-cuts-report-says-2025-03-12/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawI-9nZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHS7zTWnHZMa2AYyeBQYg1Pnd6Qoaqeye9B7Q5zCRSkbQHanv7AD_sm9uiA_aem_ZIgKYVxA1XwpNbyv95HRFQ

The agency, under pressure from the U.S. DOGE Service team, is considering a proposal to end telephone service for claims processing and direct-deposit bank account transactions, and instead direct elderly and disabled people to the internet and in-person field offices, according to the Washington Post

 

[Northeast Agent]

So apparently they backtracked on this after the Post initially reported on it.

 

[yorkriver1]

Fun part, phone appointments are pretty far into the future. For those adding Part B, after leaving employment and their notice of Part B start date is after the Part B started, supposedly Medicare can enroll them in a plan, but may not be a SEP for agents.

 

[straightnochaser]

Fun part, phone appointments are pretty far into the future. For those adding Part B, after leaving employment and their notice of Part B start date is after the Part B started, supposedly Medicare can enroll them in a plan, but may not be a SEP for agents.

ICEP is good for 60 days post Part B start date now.

 

[Northeast Agent]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/26/politics/social-security-administration-anti-fraud-changes/index.html?Date=20250327&Profile=CNN&utm_content=1743064201&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawJSIPhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXs2BdYDvETkVWl1-2JDKB1mdhvEi5bstJgN11N8XTA-GXrLXnIZilezRg_aem_UGjE9GAzHJ9Hi_opF_QgMQ

The Social Security Administration announced Wednesday that it is pushing back the rollout of a controversial anti-fraud measure by two weeks and reducing the number of applicants it will effect.

It's the latest backtrack at the agency, which is in turmoil amid a massive reorganization spurred by the Department of Government Efficiency, and comes as the Elon Musk-led initiative is hunting for fraud at Social Security. More than 73 million Americans receive Social Security benefits.

The planned policy, which was set to take effect Monday, would have required all those filing benefit applications who cannot verify their identities through their online "my Social Security" account to visit a field office to complete the claim in person.
Currently, they can also apply over the phone.

 

[somarco]

Nearly $72 Billion Improperly Paid; Recommended Improvements Go Unimplemented
August 19, 2024
Through several audits, Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General made dozens of recommendations for the Agency to prevent improper payments before they occur as well as to detect and correct existing improper payments. However, to date, many of those recommendations remain unimplemented, leading to continued improper payments.

Office of the Inspector General

The Office of the Inspector General is directly responsible for meeting the statutory mission of promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of Social Security Administration programs and operations and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in...

oig.ssa.gov

This is an ongoing, never remedied problem with the government. So much money flying out the door with zero accountability.

No wonder they are $34 trillion in debt.

 

[EckoRomeo]

I think this is why the reversed elimination of the DST.

This is an ongoing, never remedied problem with the government. So much money flying out the door with zero accountability.

From your link:

" From FYs 2015 through 2022, SSA estimates it made nearly $72 billion in improper payments, most of which were overpayments. While this is less than 1 percent of the total benefits paid during that period, at the end of FY 2023, SSA had an uncollected overpayment balance of $23 billion."

 

[Duaine]

Correcting the Record about Social Security Office Closings

Recent reports in the media that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is permanently closing local field offices are false. Since January 1, 2025, the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office. From time to time, SSA must temporarily close a local field office for reasons such as weather, damage, or facilities issues, and it reopens when the issues are resolved. The agency has announced the permanent closure of one hearing office, in White Plains, NY.

SSA works closely with local congressional delegations before closing any office permanently. The agency also reassigns employees from an affected office to other locations to help communities access in-person services.

"SSA is committed to providing service where people need help and our local field offices are no exception," said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. "We have not permanently closed any local field offices this year."

SSA identified for the General Services Administration underutilized office space to ensure the government is spending taxpayer money as prudently as possible. The agency provided GSA a list of sites for termination. Most of these are small hearing rooms with no assigned employees. Since most hearings are held virtually, SSA no longer needs these underutilized rooms.

 

[LeeV]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-social-security-weighs-phone-service-cuts-report-says-2025-03-12/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawI-9nZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHS7zTWnHZMa2AYyeBQYg1Pnd6Qoaqeye9B7Q5zCRSkbQHanv7AD_sm9uiA_aem_ZIgKYVxA1XwpNbyv95HRFQ

The agency, under pressure from the U.S. DOGE Service team, is considering a proposal to end telephone service for claims processing and direct-deposit bank account transactions, and instead direct elderly and disabled people to the internet and in-person field offices, according to the Washington Post

DOGE reported that their findings indicated that approx 40% of phone calls were fraud, or suspected of fraud, which is why this step is being taken. Don't know for sure if they will eliminate or reduce the phone service.

 

[somarco]

40% of phone calls were fraud, or suspected of fraud,

Almost on par with 911 calls . . .

A significant portion of 911 calls are not for true emergencies, with studies showing that a large percentage, often over 50%, are for non-criminal situations, such as barking dogs or abandoned cars.