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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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DOGE’s Role in Social Security Changes
It’s a confusing time, and many in our community are asking: What’s really going on with Social Security? The involvement of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has made things even murkier. DOGE is essentially a task force created under the Trump administration to streamline federal operations (Elon Musk dodges DOGE scrutiny while expanding his power in Washington). While efficiency sounds good on paper, the reality is far more concerning, especially for Black and Brown communities who depend on those services.
DOGE’s team has a tech-bro vibe. Many were taken from Musk’s companies and operate with very little transparency. Consequently, this raises serious questions about accountability and the potential for bias in their decision-making (Elon Musk alleges US Treasury fraud costs Americans $50 billion a year). They’ve been quietly inserted into agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Treasury, and even Veterans Affairs, often bypassing career staff with years of experience and expertise (Elon Musk dodges DOGE scrutiny while expanding his power in Washington). This makes any claim of wanting to serve the citizens suspicious.
Social Security Office Closures
The immediate impact of DOGE’s “efficiency” measures is already being felt nationwide, with Social Security office closures in several cities, including White Plains, Las Vegas, and Columbus. For many, especially our elders and those with disabilities, these offices are a lifeline. They offer a place to get in-person assistance with benefits, resolve complex issues, and navigate the often confusing bureaucracy of the system. Instead, those services are being shuttered.
The result of these closures, therefore, is devastating. It is forcing vulnerable individuals, including many in Black and Brown communities with limited resources, to travel exorbitant distances—up to 135 miles in some cases—to access essential services (Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE Closing Social Security Offices, Harming Access to Services). This adds insult to the injury of the cuts, a typical pattern in reforms that disproportionately affect marginalized populations.
SSA Office Closures
SSA Field Offices Closed
SSA Benefit Verification Delays
A leaked memo from March 2025 outlined a plan to shift claims processing to in-person visits, directing a staggering 75,000 to 85,000 people per week to field offices (Leaked Memo: Social Security Cuts & Changes Are Coming), (“Breaking” Social Security: Trump & Musk Move Ahead with Plan to Cut Agency Staff & Services). This is happening despite drastic staff reductions, creating a perfect storm of long wait times, frustrated beneficiaries, and potential loss of benefits. Think about the lines at busy DMVs – only this is about people’s livelihoods.
The proposed cuts also include eliminating benefits for those using a representative payee. For many in our community, especially those caring for elderly relatives, disabled family members, or individuals who aren’t US citizens, a representative payee is essential. The result will be a loss of crucial support for around 170,000 individuals, including veterans and people with disabilities (Leaked Memo: Social Security Cuts & Changes Are Coming). It’s a direct attack on some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and it’s happening under the guise of “efficiency.”
Weekly In-Person Visits to SSA Field Offices
Projected Weekly Visits After Changes
Staff Cuts Impact on Social Security Services
We are already seeing news indicating that Social Security Administration (SSA) staffing levels are near a 25-year low (Medicare Rights). These cuts and increased workloads lead to backlogs and delays in processing applications and resolving issues. The result leaves many individuals and families in limbo, unsure of their financial stability and unable to access the benefits they’re entitled to. It deliberately dismantles a crucial safety net, disproportionately impacting our communities.
The staff reductions create chaos, as reported by Judd Legum. Internal memos show unsustainable workloads, forcing the organization to be on track to collapse due to staff and resource limitations (“Breaking” Social Security: Trump & Musk Move Ahead with Plan to Cut Agency Staff & Services). This isn’t just about numbers; it directly affects people’s ability to access the services they need, especially for those dealing with disabilities or age-related challenges that require more support. This, ultimately, hurts the people who need the services the most.
The White House’s Response
The White House has released an official response. The administration claims its focus is on reducing fraud, specifically referencing an estimated $521 billion in “improper payments” annually (FACT CHECK: President Trump Will Always Protect Social Security, Medicare). This narrative is suspicious, given they propose across-the-board cuts and office closures that harm vulnerable populations rather than targeted solutions to address genuine payment issues.
This “fraud” narrative feels like a smokescreen. It seems like it is a justification for policies that will have severe consequences, especially for Black and Brown communities, who often face systemic barriers to accessing government services. Critics, including Representative Larson, have condemned these actions as “sabotage” by consolidating offices and staff cuts (Larson Blasts Trump-Musk Memo to ‘Sabotage’ the Social Security …). It’s a deeply concerning pattern. It echoes historical tactics used to undermine programs designed to support marginalized groups.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
