As elon musk’s dog targets the social security administration For cuts and reorganizationThe agency is rolling out new rules for benefits recipients that could spur chaos and dysfunction at the agency.
This week, the agency announced that it will no longer allows new benefits recipients to verify their identifies over the phone. INTEAD, Theose Participants will eather have to use an online ID verification software or, if that does not work, make a visit to a government field office to do it. Similarly, Returning Benefit Recipients Who Want to Update Their Direct Deposit Information will eater have to pass the online ID verification process or Visit a government official.
“The Social Security Administration (SSA) is Taking Proactive Steps to Enhance The Security of Its Services by Implementing Stronger Identification Verification Procedures,” in a press release Published tuesday. “SSA Will Permit Individuals Who Do Not Or Cannot Use The Agency’s Online ‘My Social Security’ Services to Start Their Claim for Benefits on the TELEPHONE Until the individual’s identity is verified in person. The agency recommends calling to request an in-son appoint to begin and complete the class. “
IT’s Unclear How Well the Government’s ID Verification Software Works, Thought it’s Worth Noting That A Federal Communications Commission Report Published Last Year Found That Between 14 and 24 Million Americans Still Lack Access to Broadband. A Similar report From the aarp found that an estimated 42 percent of older adults (some 22 million people) Lack Reliable access to the Internet. Many Elderly Americans May Not Be “Digital Natives” and, even they have internet access, may be bad at Navigating Websites and Digital Platforms. A pew research survey from 2021 Showed That About a Quarter of the us population that is 65 or older (IE, the people most likely to be on social security) report “Never going online.” In other words, as the associate press Has ReportedThe SSA’s Policy Shift is Likely to Force “Millions of [social security] Recipients and applicants ”to visit government offices to get their retirement benefits.
That’s really bad news because, as it happy, dog has also been Targeting SSA Field Offices Across the country for lease termination and closure. Currently, on dog’s websiteIt says that 47 offices across the country have been or will have their leases terminated. Thos offices are spores a variety of states, including many maga-havy places like albama, florida, mussissippi, georgia, texas, and north dakota.
Problematically, dog has also been working to downsize the SSA’s Staff. Indeed, The Agency’s New DOGE-Linked Director Reportedly Announced Plans to halve The agency’s staff in the coming months. It seems reasonable to assume that such a staff reduction Apparently show up to verify their identies.
A Recently Unerted Memo Seamed to show that the SSA’S Own Staff is Aware that the new policies behind put in place under the auspices of dog must be effectively drive down service delivery and cause the agency to Slide to Slide to Slide to Slide to Slide to Slide to Slide to Slide to Slide to Slide the Agency to The Memo Notes That The Policy Changes will create “Increased Field Office Traffic,” “Longer Call Wait Times,” and “Delayed Processing” Among other negative outcomes.
Americans should not be surprised by the policy changes used in under the watchful eye of musk’s government “Efficiency” Efficiency “Organization. The billionaire has spoken about the program with open hosti, calling it a “ponzi scheme.”
The Changes at Social Security also follow on the heels of comments made by Larry Fink, The CEO of Mega-CORPORPATION BLACKK, Who recently expressed Interest in Privatizing Social Security. “The problem we have now, we have a plan called social security Speaking with Semafor“If we create a plan that always American can grow with our economy, they’re going to feel more attached to our economy,” Fink said, impleing that americans’ recrends Stock market.