‘What’s Going On Is The Destruction Of The Agency From The Inside Out, And It’s Accelerating’

The Social Security Administration has experienced recent challenges, making it harder for some retirees and disabled Americans to access benefits and services. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) recently described the situation as “the destruction of the agency from the inside out, and it’s accelerating.” His concerns come amid reports of staffing cuts, service disruptions, and growing uncertainty about the future of Social Security.

The SSA’s website crashed four times in just 10 days this month due to overloaded servers, preventing users from logging in to check their benefits or manage their accounts, according to The Washington Post. Field offices are also struggling to keep up with demand. Office managers have had to step in and answer phones at the front desk because so many employees have left.

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The agency is responsible for delivering $1.5 trillion in benefits to around 73 million Americans each year. However, recent internal reports suggest that the agency’s ability to provide reliable service is deteriorating. This has left many retirees, disabled individuals, and others who rely on Social Security with reduced access to essential services.

The SSA has seen rapid leadership changes and staffing reductions in recent months. The agency is currently run by Leland Dudek, who became acting commissioner on Feb. 16. Dudek has already overseen staff cuts of more than 12%, with reports indicating that experienced officials have been pushed out or left voluntarily due to internal chaos.

Dudek’s changes appear to be influenced by pressure from the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, which has been focused on addressing alleged benefits fraud. However, critics argue that this focus is misplaced, with limited evidence of widespread fraud. Under Musk’s team’s guidance, several longstanding policies have been altered or eliminated, including remote access to services for individuals without internet access.

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King has been vocal about the negative impact these changes are having on Americans, particularly older residents in his home state of Maine — which has the country’s oldest population. “What they’re doing now is unconscionable,” King told the Post. He added that many seniors have approached him with concerns about whether they’ll be able to continue receiving the benefits they’ve paid into for decades.