In March 2025, a rumor spread that U.S. President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency was closing 47 Social Security Administration offices across the country. The claim surfaced after Trump tasked DOGE at the beginning of his second term with shrinking the size of the federal workforce to make it more "efficient and effective.

The team working at the Social Security Administration appears to be among the largest DOGE units deployed to any government agency.

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A combination of staff cuts, office closures, and outdated systems could lead to significant frustration for Social Security recipients and future benefits.

The Washington Post published an article (archived) titled "Social Security, facing pressure from DOGE, weighs big cuts to phone service." The story alleged that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative championed by Elon Musk was attempting to push the Social Security Administration (SSA) to cut its telephone service for claims processing and direct deposit transactions.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a crucial change: direct deposit information can no longer be updated over the phone due to fraud concerns.

Those who need to change their direct deposit information with Social Security will have to do it online or in-person.

The Social Security Administration is increasing its protection against fraud by eliminating the risk of fraud associated with changing bank account information by telephone, and requiring people to prove their identities in person or through a two-factor authentication process online.

People who benefit from Social Security will no longer be able to update their banking information over the phone. (Scripps News)