Leaked MEMO: Social Security SABOTAGE Could DESTROY System

[neurosis]

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/17/social-security-trump-doge

The Trump administration has repeatedly said it doesn't plan changes to Social Security, other than to address fraud and waste — but these proposals risk "crippling" a system already plagued by delays, and facing staffing cuts, former agency officials tell Axios.

"Context: The memo was sent one day after the agency denied, in a press release, a report it was scrapping its toll-free phone line.

The agency, at the time, said the change would only preclude people from changing their bank account information by phone.
   
But the new memo — issued one day later — proposes changes that will further limit what people can do by phone. Under the proposal, phone service would still be available to people who call the agency and don't need to verify their identity, like someone making a general inquiry.

The draft of the memo viewed by Axios says the proposed limitations will be "significant" for those living in rural areas in particular."

Between the lines: "People have a lot of trouble with the identification process," says Jen Burdick, a lawyer who provides free legal services for Americans trying to get Social Security disability benefits.

    A recent client tried to drop by an office last week and was told to make an appointment by phone. On the phone, they were put on hold for six hours on Monday, five hours on Tuesday and two blocks of time, each three hours, on Wednesday, she said.
    These proposed changes are "a way they're trying to use red tape to literally block people from getting benefits," Burdick said.

[JParis]

Dave,

I don't mean to laugh but at this point this adds up to exactly nothing.

Discussions and drafts such as these happen all all levels of government....this entire "Social Security" kerfuffle is about nothing more than inflaming the older generation who lives under the "any mention whatsoever of SS" is the 3rd rail of American politics.

Until anything becomes a legitimate proposal it's all much ado about nothing

[neurosis]

Until anything becomes a legitimate proposal it's all much ado about nothing

That might be true, but it sheds a light on what they would like to do. Do you not think it possible for them to cripple the SS department enough to make it at minimum, inconvenient for some people to potentially impossible for others? Who knows what will become of this but you don't think they have some goals in mind?

[Smit]

Everything is nothing until it becomes something.

It seems the department of government efficiency is knowingly trying to make things really inefficient.

Why would they try to do that?

[Del.]

Shit stirrer.

[neurosis]

Shit stirrer.

Some times I have to make sure you get to see the things that Fox news isn't reporting. 

Now that was shit stirring. 

[Del.]

Some times I have to make sure you get to see the things that Fox news isn't reporting. 

Now that was shit stirring. 

TDS much?

[neurosis]

TDS much?

RTDS much?

[Jeff]

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

[Del.]

RTDS much?

GROAN!!!

[neurosis]

Everything is nothing until it becomes something.

It's laughable to me that out of one side of their mouth, people will say "I can't believe this is a concern, and out of the other they will say, but that's what they said they were going to do.  

And this is what they say they would like to do. 

"It was crafted at the request of DOGE staff, says a former Social Security Administration official, who left the agency because of this memo."

[Smit]

I think there should be more concern by people who will get older rather than old people. Anybody who is thinking of applying for SS benefits would do well to put in an application well in advance of the date they plan on requesting benefits start. I put in my application 6 months in advance but that might not be enough time if they start cutting jobs.

My biggest concern is they might decide I'm dead, stop payments, and pull money from my account from the date they killed me. 

It's laughable to me that out of one side of their mouth, people will say "I can't believe this is a concern, and out of the other they will say, but that's what they said they were going to do.  

If this thread was about guns people would be going crazy!

[gcode]

There are two issues here.
It is nearly impossible to accurately verify someone's identity via telephone, especially if they are a fraudster.

I recently helped my wife sign up for an account at a lab online, because she is years overdue for a physical
and needs a blood test.
One of the things she had to do was pick addresses, previously owned cars and phone numbers up to 25 years old.
They would present a list of 4 cars or addresses, or phone numbers associated with her past.
She failed to recognize the number of a 25 year old landline and hit "none of the above"
That blew out her application and she had to complete it in person.

The other issue is many people do not have the technical savvy to create and navigate an online account.
One of my coworkers just signed up for SS. He does not own a computer and has no idea how to use one.
He was not able to get it done on his smart phone, and did it all by phone.
They did require him to show up at a SS office and show an ID as a last step.

I do not believe they are intentionally trying to prevent legitimate SS recipients from receiving benefits.
They are dealing with a technically ignorant customer base and a massive number of highly skilled
fraudsters trying to scam the system out of unearned benefits.

[Del.]

I think there should be more concern by people who will get older rather than old people. Anybody who is thinking of applying for SS benefits would do well to put in an application well in advance of the date they plan on requesting benefits start. I put in my application 6 months in advance but that might not be enough time if they start cutting jobs.

My biggest concern is they might decide I'm dead, stop payments, and pull money from my account from the date they killed me. 

If this thread was about guns people would be going crazy!

You can't apply for SS any sooner than 4 months of retirement.

[JParis]

says a former Social Security Administration official, who left the agency because of this memo

Soooo, someone with an ax to grind....um hmm