A large group of Democrats on Wednesday called on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to keep field offices open.
“We write with concern in response to public reporting indicating you plan to close many field offices this year amidst the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s attack on the Social Security Administration (SSA),” the group said in its letter addressed to acting SSA Commissioner Lee Dudek.
“Field offices provide vital services to Social Security recipients, and beneficiaries need the opportunity to seek assistance from SSA in person. Each day, approximately 170,000 people visit an SSA field office for assistance. Closing any of these field offices will make it harder for individuals to access their benefits,” the group added.
The dozens of Democrats who signed the letter included Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) and Peter Welch (Vt.) and Reps. Delia Ramirez (Ill.), Jennifer McClellan (Va.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.)
The Associated Press previously reported that, according to data from the General Services Administration, there were 47 SSA offices marked for closure, with 26 marked for expected closure later in 2025.
In a press release from late March, the SSA said that “reports in the media that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is permanently closing local field offices are false.”
“Given SSA’s recent attempts to close field offices—only to reverse course after public outcry and claim it never had plans to close offices—will you commit to keeping each one of these offices open? If not, please identify which offices you will close and why,” the Democrats pressed in their letter.
The Hill has reached out to the SSA and a spokesperson for DOGE for comment.
