Reed: Trump Admin. Should Improve Social Security Customer Service, Not Intentionally Degrade It
WASHINGTON, DC – Stressing the importance of efficient customer service, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says Rhode Islanders should not have to wait in long lines outside of Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices, exposed to the elements, and in some cases having to return multiple times, in order to get their needs addressed. Nor should retirees be put on hold for hours, have their calls dropped, or have to wait endlessly to speak with an SSA representative.
Roughly 230,000 Rhode Islanders – including senior citizens and people with disabilities — rely on the guaranteed income provided by Social Security. Senator Reed says it is essential they be able to get their questions answered online, in-person, or over the phone. But unconscionably, the Trump Administration is slashing the Social Security Administration (SSA) workforce from 57,000 workers down to 50,000, shuttering dozens of field offices nationwide, and making it harder for Americans to get help with the Social Security benefits they earned.
“Rhode Islanders deserve better customer service from the Social Security Administration, but the Trump Administration is intentionally making it worse. Elon Musk falsely claimed Social Security is a ponzi scheme and President Trump intentionally spread false information about the program because they want to get rid of it. They’ve put forth unpopular plans to run Social Security into the ground and Americans across the country are rightfully pushing back. Trump and Musk want political cover to slash the social safety net altogether, and gutting SSA customer service and restricting benefit access is part of their plan that must be stopped,” said Reed.
Approximately 72.5 million Americans, including retirees, children, and individuals with disabilities, rely on Social Security benefits. In Rhode Island, retirement beneficiaries receive an average payment of $1,972 a month, according to the latest available Social Security Administration data.
Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced the closure of 47 SSA field offices across 18 states. It also says most Americans can start a benefits claim over the phone but will have to go to a field office in order to complete the claim.
Senator Reed, who recently visited Pawtucket’s SSA field office, noted that degrading customer phone service and requiring in-person office visits would have a negative impact on vulnerable Americans with limited mobility.
“Under the guise of DOGE and fraud prevention, the Trump Administration is creating unnecessary barriers that will deter Americans from accessing their earned retirement benefits. Instead of cutting red tape, the Trump Administration’s strategy could force homebound seniors and people with serious medical issues to needlessly travel and fill out extra paperwork in person,” said Reed.
While the Trump Administration originally planned to implement SSA changes starting March 31, it is now backtracking and delaying major changes until April 14. However, SSA’s revisions do not go far enough and will still cause needless barriers for millions of Americans seeking to access their Social Security benefits, including individuals applying for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary benefits (including Spousal or Child benefits).
Rhode Island is currently home to five SSA field offices and one location for the Office of Hearings Operations (Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick, Woonsocket).
The Social Security Administration help number is 1-800-772-1213. To find the nearest SSA office and for office hours, visit the SSA field office locator at: https://www.ssa.gov/locator/
