Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) on Thursday slammed a New York Social Security office closure plan.
“The decision to close the only Social Security Hearing Office in the Hudson Valley is a slap in the face to thousands of my constituents who rely on these services,” Lawler said in a post on social platform X, referencing the upcoming closure of an office in White Plains, N.Y.
Several Social Security Administration offices around the U.S. are expected to close this year due to the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) cuts to the federal government.
“This office handles over 2,000 backlogged cases and conducts hundreds of in-person hearings every year. Telling my constituents that they now have to travel hours to Lower Manhattan, New Haven, the Bronx, or Goshen is completely unacceptable,” Lawler said Thursday.
President Trump’s administration has moved to dramatically reshape the federal government in his first few months in office, resulting in drastic changes at federal agencies and departments across the government.
On Monday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) said it would no longer allow individuals to verify their identity via phone. Instead, it would require online authentication or in-person visits for those looking for benefit claims and direct deposit changes.
“SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim cannot be completed until the individual’s identity is verified in person,” an SSA blog post said.
“The agency therefore recommends calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction,” it continued.
Changes are set to go into effect at the end of the month, affecting more than 72 million Americans.
The Hill has reached out to the White House and the SSA for comment.
