How Staffing Cuts at the SSA Could Hurt Millions of Americans

Recently, numerous media outlets reported on President Donald Trump’s new focus on trimming the budget of the Social Security Administration (SSA). While all Americans should be in favor of an examination of government waste in all agencies, our experience in helping our clients with Social Security Disability for almost 20 years has us concerned about cuts to staffing at the SSA in an effort to cut costs.

The SSA Is Already Struggling

The SSA is already stretched thin. With only about 60,000 employees—its lowest number in 50 years—there's already a lot of strain on the system. More people are relying on Social Security than ever before, and wait times for services have been a major problem for years. Now, with planned cuts to the workforce, things are likely to get worse.

Union representatives like Rich Couture from AFGE (the union for Social Security workers) have been vocal about how these cuts will hurt the public. As Couture points out, Social Security is already at a breaking point, and frontline workers—those who deal directly with beneficiaries—are the ones who will bear the brunt of these cuts. With more people needing help every day, cutting staff will only mean longer wait times, more stress, and less support for those who need it most.

What This Means for the Public

Let’s be clear: if the SSA cuts its staff, the people who will suffer the most are the ones who depend on Social Security benefits. These cuts could lead to local field offices closing, which means fewer places for people to go for help. Those who rely on disability benefits could find themselves waiting even longer for their claims to be processed, or worse, waiting months for a hearing that might determine if they get the help they need.

And it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s life or death for some people. Disability claimants already face incredibly long waits. A report even found that about 10,000 people who appealed their claims died before their cases were resolved. Reducing staff will only make these delays worse, meaning more people could miss out on the benefits they need to survive.

Cybersecurity Concerns Are Real

Another big issue that’s come up is the safety of people’s personal information. The SSA manages some of the most sensitive data out there, including Social Security numbers, income records, and disability claims. With all the staff cuts and leadership changes happening, there’s growing concern about the agency’s ability to protect this data.

The systems the SSA uses are complex and outdated, and with less staff to monitor them, the risk of a data breach grows. And given how frequently the agency is targeted by cyberattacks, this is a serious problem. Losing experienced workers could leave the agency vulnerable to even more risks.

Fraud Claims Don’t Justify Cuts

There are claims from people like Elon Musk that fraud is rampant at the SSA, and that cutting staff will help solve the problem. However, there’s no solid evidence to support these claims. Sure, there are occasional data errors, like people who seem to be much older than they are, but this isn’t a sign of massive fraud.

In fact, SSA itself has pushed back on these claims of widespread fraud. So instead of cutting staff, which will make it even harder to process claims and protect people’s data, the focus should be on fixing the actual problems, not punishing the hardworking people trying to make the system work.

A Long-Term Problem

The staffing issues at the SSA have been building for years, and they've already created a massive backlog of claims that haven’t been processed. Disability claims are especially tough because they require a lot of paperwork and time to review. Unfortunately, the SSA hasn’t been able to keep up with the growing demand, and cutting staff will only make things worse.

As Max Richtman from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare pointed out, the process to get disability benefits is "so cumbersome and difficult to navigate." The last thing the agency needs is even fewer people to help those who are in desperate need of support.

The Bottom Line

The SSA is a critical service that millions of Americans rely on. Cutting its workforce would only make a bad situation worse—slower services, longer wait times, and more stress on workers who are already overwhelmed. Social Security is a program that helps people get by when they need it most. Reducing its ability to serve the public isn’t just a bad idea—it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Instead of cutting jobs and services, the government should be looking for ways to support the SSA, making sure it has the resources it needs to meet the growing demand for its services. The cuts might sound like a way to save money, but at what cost? If anything, we should be investing in Social Security so it can continue doing the crucial work it’s been doing for decades.

Let’s hope Congress steps in and puts a stop to these cuts before it’s too late. Social Security is too important to let it fall apart.