(Radio Iowa) – National media outlets are publishing what’s described as an internal Social Security memo outlining job cuts and the shutdown of the agency’s 800-number to comply with DOGE orders to pare back.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he recently met with President Trump’s nominee to head Social Security and he was assured, services would be enhanced, not slashed. Grassley says people should have telephone and face-to-face access to Social Security, but reports say the current staff of around 57-thousand would be cut by at least seven-thousand, while the elimination of the toll-free phone line would force millions of people to file claims in person.
The plan also calls for closing six of the agency’s ten regional offices, creating what the memo calls “a real Catch-22” as filing in person would become extremely difficult. Grassley couldn’t confirm whether DOGE ordered the cuts, which would have a significant impact, especially in rural areas.