Don’t panic if you receive a message from Social Security saying your payments have stopped: This is what you have to do

As Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) moves to reduce staff and physical locations of the Social Security Administration (SSA), concerns grow that it will become more difficult for beneficiaries to get help.

Initially reported by The Washington Post, came the news that some Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients had been alerted that they were “currently not receiving payments,” sparking concern that their benefits had been cut.

In the coming months, if you receive a notice that your SSI, traditional Social Security benefits, or Social Security Disability Insurance payments are not going to be sent, you should proceed with caution. At this point, Congress has not passed legislation that would cut or reduce benefits. The only possibility applies to those found to have been overpaid. In those cases, the SSA will withhold 100 percent of your Social Security check until the error is corrected. For those on SSI, these new rules do not apply, and the withholding rate will remain 10 percent. If you receive a notice that you were overpaid and believe it is a mistake, you should call the SSA or try to make an appointment at your local office.

Is the SSA closing offices?

Yes and no. Though DOGE originally posted a list of around 50 SSA offices that were going to see their leases terminated, these have been walked back by SSA leaders. A press release from late March informs the public that the majority of planned terminations were for sites with hearing rooms that were not in use. “Since January 1, 2025, the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office,” said the agency to set the record straight.

The announcement of closures had many beneficiaries worried, as these offices are one of the primary ways people get support for their benefits or those of their family members. In 2023, the SSA reported that over 100,000 people visited these offices every day, highlighting the important role they play in helping beneficiaries manage their payments.

Recipients of SSA programs are concerned that cuts to the workforce could also impact their access to representatives who can help them when questions arise. Government Executive, an online outlet focused on federal news, has reported that the SSA is circulating a plan that calls for 5,000 layoffs. There are concerns that these firings could lead to longer wait times, for those seeking support both in-person and over the phone. Already, data from the SSA shows that compared to 2024, wait times are up for those calling the agency. In September 2024, callers were waiting an average of one hour and one minute, and in March 2025, that figure was up to one hour and thirty-nine minutes. The SSA acknowledges that these wait times are too long, and has moved to provide real-time information on wait times, in what appears to be an attempt to encourage callers to phone the agency they are lower.

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