With the Trump Administration reported to be eyeing cuts to staffing in the Social Security Administration, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer on Wednesday called on the Department of Government Efficiency to “get their hands” off New Yorkers’ Social Security benefits.
“When it comes to Social Security, Trump and ‘DOGE’ are purposely causing chaos and inefficiency to attack the program millions of New York seniors and families rely on to make ends meet. It’s appalling and they need to back off,” said Senator Schumer.
He claims ‘DOGE’ has already taken credit for closing two NY Social Security Offices in Westchester and Chemung County, and are pursuing further cuts, including eliminating 12% of agency staff.
“This is a direct attack on New York seniors’ Social Security checks. From Rochester to Rockland County, nearly 4 million New Yorkers rely on Social Security every month. But right now, Trump and Musk, two billionaires, are trying to take a chainsaw to your Social Security benefits by closing offices, firing staff, shutting off the phone lines, and adding burdensome bureaucratic rules for seniors, people with disabilities and their families. It’s outrageous, and, if they continue to cut Social Security operations to the bone, the system soon won’t be able to function,” said Senator Schumer. “These cuts make no sense – they are closing offices and saying they want to shut down phone service at the same time, how do they expect seniors to get their benefits? Already the Social Security safety net is breaking at the seams. If no one can take your call, if the website keeps crashing, if they fire the staff that process your claims, that’s a cut in benefits. New Yorkers aren’t falling for it and won’t stand for it. I have a simple message for ‘DOGE’ and Trump: Hands off New Yorkers Social Security.”
A county-by-county breakdown of Social Security beneficiaries across New York can be found here for SSI and Old Age, Survivors, and Disability benefits.
