24 Mar DOGE Closes SSA Offices: How This Affects Disabled Veterans
Posted at 14:46h
in Social Security Disability, Social Security Disability Benefits, SSDI Lawyer, VA Disability Benefits
DOGE Closes SSA Offices: how this affects disabled veterans
Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) issued a directive to government agencies to significantly downsize their workforce and close offices to cut costs and improve efficiency. As part of this initiative, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced plans to reduce redundant and non-mission critical staff and shut down several regional offices across the country.
In a press release, the agency stated its intention to reduce its staff from 57,000 to 50,000 and close six regional offices. These cuts are expected to impact those relying on Social Security benefits, as well as disabled Veterans seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Social Security benefit claims generally take a long time to process, the back and forth between the claimant and the Social Security offices usually take from months to years to finally arrive at the results of the claim. An article in Medicare Rights.org warns that the reduction in offices and personnel has already led to processing delays, longer wait times, and appointment-only services.
Key Takeaways
•DOGE has directed government agencies to restructure in order to save money and improve efficiency. This directive urged the SSA to close offices and reduce staff.
•Disabled Veterans applying for SSDI, or SSI might need to re-align which office they’re visiting or sending their claims to, due to the closure of several SSA offices.
•Delays for Social Security benefits are inevitable. We recommend you hire an experienced and specialized law firm for disability law to assist you.
The Current Crisis: SSA Staffing at 25-Year Low
In March of 2024, former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley revealed that despite serving 7 million more beneficiaries in 2015, the agency had 7,000 less full time staff. He stated that the current staffing levels reached the lowest in 25 years, warning that the shortages would result in longer wait times, backlogs, and difficulty accessing benefits.
For Veterans who rely on SSDI and SSI benefits, these cuts present a major problem. The SSA normally prioritizes and expedites disability claims from Veterans, especially those with service-connected disabilities, but a smaller workforce and fewer offices could slow down claim approvals, appeals, and benefit disbursements.
How SSA Staffing and Office Closures Affect Claimants
According to a letter Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent to the Social Security Administration, the closure of SSA offices will force some beneficiaries to travel between 24 and 135 miles to reach their nearest Social Security office.
For many disabled Veterans, seniors, and individuals without reliable transportation, these changes create new challenges. SSDI and SSI applications will now require even more time due to staffing shortages and increased travel requirements.
Social Security Office Locations Scheduled for Closure
While SSDI and SSI applications can be submitted online, many applicants prefer in-person visits for assistance with complex issues, document verification, and technical support. However, office closures will make this significantly harder. According to Newsweek, the following SSA offices are set to close:
-Okemos, Michigan
-Logan, West Virginia
-Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
-Green Bay, Wisconsin
-Nacogdoches, Texas
-Carlsbad, California
-Las Vegas, Nevada
-Batesville, Arkansas
-Columbus, Ohio
-White Plains, New York
How SSA Closures Will Affect Disabled Veterans' Benefits
For disabled Veterans filing SSDI or SSI claims, the process of filing claims will now take longer and more time. Approval processes for disability claims will take more months before you hear a response, and appealing rejection results will take longer.
Here’s the rundown on how this will impact disabled Veterans:
-Increased processing times for SSDI/SSI claims
-Fewer available schedules for appointments in the office
-More difficulty scheduling appeal hearings
-Long delays for benefit approvals and payments
-Increased financial strain due to delays in receiving payments
What You Can Do to Navigate SSA Delays
With SSA staffing shortages and office closures causing significant delays, claimants should take proactive steps to make sure their disability applications are processed as smoothly as possible. Here’s what you can do:
1. File Your Claim as Early as Possible: With processing times expected to increase, the sooner you apply the better.
2. Gather All Necessary Documentation in Advance: Make sure your medical records, service records, and other supporting documents are complete before filing your claim.
3. Use Online SSA Services Where Possible: While in-person visits can be beneficial, filing online may help avoid travel-related delays.
4. Seek Professional Legal Assistance: An experienced law firm specializing in disability law can help expedite your case, reduce the likelihood of errors, and increase your chances of approval.
How Legal Representation Can Streamline Your Disability Claim
Keeping track of updates of your claim or appeals is time-consuming and frustrating. With the closures and staff cuts approaching, you can expect your appeal to take time before a response is heard.
To help speed up the process, we recommend hiring an experienced law firm specializing in disability law to assist with gathering documents, filing claims, and to figure out the logistics of how to file a claim or an appeal.
Here in Victory Disability, we specialize with helping disabled Veterans get the benefits they deserve. We’ve worked with more than 10,000 clients, and helped them get positive outcomes out of their claims, and you can expect we’ll work to help you get your claims approved as quickly as possible.
Want to know how we can help you? Here’s what we do:
-Expedite claims for Veterans
-Navigate the appeals process for denied claims
-Provide legal representation to make sure you receive the benefits you deserve
Don’t wait to get started with your claim! The longer you delay filing, the longer it will take to receive your benefits. Use the button below to take our free online evaluation.