What proposed changes for Social Security mean to you

The Social Security Administration really isn’t interested in seeing you at their local office, which does not even exist in Sequoyah County.

According to its website, www.ssa.gov, the Social Security Administration says visiting its website is the best way to get help. If you cannot use the website, the SSA wants you to call its national 800 number or, if they exist, your local SSA office. SSA personnel can often help you by phone, the website claims, and save you a trip to an office.

But if you need in-person help, you must make an appointment to visit an office. And the closest SSA office for Sequoyah County is in Poteau.

There’s also a Social Security office in Fort Smith at 6801 Dallas Street. If you’re wanting to go to the Muskogee office, it’s at 2401 W. Shawnee Street.

And how long those offices will still be around is anyone’s guess. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) says 47 SSA offices will be closed, with 26 targeted for this year.

AARP is “taking action to ensure that all older Americans can safely access the benefits they have earned and get questions answered in the ways that are best for them.”

AARP, which advocates for more than 100 million Americans age 50 and older, has adopted an “all-hands-on-deck approach,” says AARP’s John Hishta, senior vice president of campaigns.

In addition to advocating for protecting Social Security benefits, which is the primary source of income for many older Americans, AARP is also educating decision-makers on the toll customer-service cuts could have.

The SSA recently said that by April 1, anyone applying for and receiving Social Security will no longer be permitted to confirm their identity over the phone. Instead, they would be required to complete the application process in person at a local office or online. That change has since been delayed two weeks until April 14, and working to allow select groups, including those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, to still be able to apply by phone.

AARP considers that “a good first step,” but still wants better options from the government.

“Asking tens of millions of Americans to jump through new hoops and prove their identity to access the customer service they have paid for is deeply unacceptable,” says Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer.

LeaMond also points out that such changes will result in longer wait times and challenges, especially for rural Americans who may need to drive for hours to fill out the paperwork.

“SSA needs to be transparent about its service changes and seek input from the older Americans who will be affected because any delay in Social Security caused by this change can mean real economic hardship,” LeaMond says.

AARP is also urging Congress to intervene when it comes to the cuts to phone services for Americans receiving Social Security. AARP wants Congress to “exercise its oversight authority, hold hearings and intervene before this change causes serious harm to the millions of older Americans and people with disabilities who rely on Social Security.”

AARP is also urging its members to call on Congress to keep Social Security strong, and for Social Security to “remain responsive and accountable to the Americans it has a responsibility to serve.”

“It is a matter of basic respect that people should be able to receive timely and correct answers to questions that can irrevocably impact their financial future,” LeaMond says. “We are urging Social Security to be clear on how they are going to improve customer service and make sure the phones are being answered by fully trained representatives who can accurately answer Americans’ questions.”

In response to AARP’s efforts, the SSA said in March that the agency was committed to improving customer service even as it moves to cut costs and reduce its workforce.

And then there’s DOGE

Amid SSA staff reductions mandated by the Trump administration, in general, and DOGE, in particular, former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley has warned of a “system collapse” that could halt benefit payments. He said the DOGE changes are causing IT system outages.

In addition, the Trump administration plans to phase out payments via paper checks, which will affect almost half a million Social Security recipients. Those who want to switch to direct deposit or to receive benefits through a debit card are directed to apply online. But those who are not computer savvy then need to call, but wait times have been reported to be running into hours.

While President Trump has said he won’t touch Social Security benefits, critics claim that changes implemented by DOGE are the administration’s backdoor effort to cut payments and gut the agency.

The good news

There may be good news, however.

If you’re already set up with receiving Social Security payments, you may not have to jump through all the hoops that are being instituted.

Those applying for benefits for the first time or those changing banks where direct deposits will be sent, will experience those extra steps to prove your identity. If you know your way around a computer and can set up an account through the SSA website, it’s possible you’ll be able to prove your identity through the portal. If not, it may be time for a road trip.