The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has pushed back on a Democrat claim that it had closed Social Security offices in Georgia.
The official X account for DOGE said that it had not closed any “field sites” in Georgia or anywhere else, but that it had closed 5 “permanent remote hearing sites” since the hearings were now being held virtually.
“This post is inaccurate. [Social Security] is not closing any field sites in Georgia or elsewhere,” DOGE wrote on X. “The confusion likely arises from the closure of 5 permanent remote hearing sites (PRSs)—single rooms within field sites used for hearings. Since most hearings are now virtual, these PRSs are unnecessary. Field sites remain open, and Social Security has no plans to close any public-facing sites nationwide.”
This post is inaccurate. @SocialSecurity is not closing any field sites in Georgia or elsewhere.
The confusion likely arises from the closure of 5 permanent remote hearing sites (PRSs)—single rooms within field sites used for hearings. Since most hearings are now virtual, these… https://t.co/1rphXmw2Qu
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) March 21, 2025
DOGE posted in response to Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), who claimed on Wednesday that DOGE “closed 5 social security offices in GA a couple weeks ago” and was telling Georgia seniors “they can’t use the phone to claim benefits either.”
DOGE closed 5 social security offices in GA a couple weeks ago. Now, they’re telling Georgia seniors they can’t use the phone to claim benefits either.
Let’s call this what it is: An intentional attempt to stop folks from claiming benefits they’ve EARNED. I will fight this. pic.twitter.com/6Ih22YJABr
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 19, 2025
It isn’t the first time Democrats and their media counterparts have provided false information about DOGE’s actions regarding Social Security. Earlier this month, media outlets and Democrats claimed that DOGE had cut telephone services at the Social Security Administration (SSA). In reality, the Trump administration sought to protect seniors and other Social Security beneficiaries by making it more difficult for fraudsters to change bank account information over the phone.
“SSA continuously investigates and analyzes potential threats to strengthen and secure our programs and protect people who receive benefits,” the administration posted on its website. “Approximately 40 percent of Social Security direct deposit fraud is associated with someone calling SSA to change direct deposit bank information. SSA’s current protocol of simply asking identifying questions by telephone is no longer enough to prevent fraud.”
Those needing to change their bank account information will now have to use two-factor authentication through the Social Security website, or go to a local SSA office to prove their identity.
This didn’t stop outlets like The Washington Post from claiming it had caused a change in administration policy. The Post wrote an inaccurate story claiming DOGE was cutting telephone services, the SSA corrected the misinformation, and then the Post claimed a victory.
“The Social Security Administration late Wednesday abandoned plans it was considering to end phone service for millions of Americans filing retirement and disability claims after The Washington Post reported that Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service team was weighing the change to root out alleged fraud,” the Post wrote.
