Map Shows States Where Social Security Field Office Staff Has Been Reduced
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Some states have experienced more than 10 percent staffing losses at Social Security field offices, according to a new report.
Newsweek has contacted the SSA for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays out benefits to tens of millions of Americans, and the agency's field offices provide vital in-person services.
But the agency has undergone various changes since President Donald Trump's second administration began in January. In tandem with various other federal departments, staffing culls have taken place, with the agency announcing in February that it planned to cut staff numbers from 57,000 to 50,000.
What To Know
Between March 2024 and March 2025, Social Security field offices lost nearly 5 percent of their staff, according to union data from the AFGE Social Security General Committee, and the number of union-represented employees fell from 21,627 to 20,593. Over the year, 46 states and Washington, D.C., saw staffing declines, two states saw no change and only Nebraska and Alaska added staff—just seven union-represented positions combined.
States that saw staffing losses of 10 percent or more during this period include Wyoming, with a 17 percent loss; Montana, with a 14 percent loss; and West Virginia, with an 11 percent loss.
The report also said that this is unlikely to be the full range of positions lost at field offices since January.
"This [report] analysis utilizes bargaining unit staff numbers dated March 2025, prior to the largest mass departures at the agency, suggesting that current year-over-year staff losses may be even larger," the Strategic Organizing Center said. "Further, the main impact of the Trump administration's mass buyout and early retirement programs came after March 2025, suggesting that current staff losses are likely larger than this data shows."
The agency announced in February that it planned to cut staff numbers from 57,000 to 50,000. Prior to the second Trump administration, the SSA was already experiencing a decline in staff, from nearly 63,000 workers in 2014 to about 57,000 in 2024.
According to the SSA, field office wait times have been reduced to 23 minutes so far this year, compared to 30 minutes last year—a 23 percent reduction.
What People Are Saying
A representative for Social Security Works, which fights to preserve benefits, told Newsweek: "This report shows the catastrophic damage the Trump administration is doing to Social Security. They've pushed out thousands of staff at the Social Security Administration. That includes many of the most experienced, highly qualified public servants. Others have been forcibly reassigned to roles they are not trained for."
SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, in a July press release: "Our vision is centered on providing outstanding service that works for everyone we serve—whether they call, walk into a field office, or choose to manage their benefits online."
What Happens Next
Bisignano said the SSA is "transforming the customer experience, investing in technology to build frontline capacity, and using real-time data to monitor performance across the board.
"We are delivering higher levels of customer service—and this will continue," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Solar panels that fit on your balcony or deck are gaining traction in the US
When Terrence Dwyer received a knock on his door and a flyer for a solar panel system small enough to fit on his deck, he was quickly sold. Solar systems that plug into regular wall outlets have been popular in Europe for years and are gaining traction in the U.S. for their affordability and simple installation. 'We thought absolutely, let's do this right away,' said Dwyer, who lives in Oakland, California. These small-scale solar systems could become attractive to more homeowners now that President Donald Trump's sweeping budget-and-policy package will scrap residential rooftop solar tax credits and may shift interest to cheaper alternatives. Even before the GOP bill passed, manufacturers of the smaller systems known as plug-in or balcony solar were seeing increased demand and other positive signs such as a new Utah law streamlining regulations for homeowners to buy and install them. The systems about the size of a door haven't been as widely adopted in the U.S. as in Europe because of lack of awareness, patchwork utility rules and limited availability. The $2,000 plug-in solar system installed on Dwyer's backyard deck in March consists of two 400 watt panels, an inverter, a smart meter and a circuit breaker. It saves him around $35 per month on his power bill because he is consuming less energy from the grid, but he said reducing his carbon footprint was his primary motivation. 'We like the environmental benefits of solar and wanted to engage with solar in some fashion,' Dwyer said. Had Dwyer opted for rooftop solar, he would have paid $20,000 for the system and $30,000 to upgrade his roof to support the panels. Installing a plug-in solar system requires some homework. What power companies let customers do with energy-generating equipment varies, which is why prospective purchasers should check their utility's policies first. Building permits might be required depending on the municipality. Some systems can be self-installed, while others may require an electrician. For example, some kits have meters that must be wired into a home's circuit breaker. Removing hurdles for plug-in solar Dwyer bought his system from Bright Saver, a nonprofit company in California that advocates for plug-in solar. In addition to the type Dwyer bought, the company also offers a smaller model costing $399 that recently sold out in six days. 'The interest and demand have been overwhelming,' said Cora Stryker, a founder of Bright Saver. 'It is clear that we are hitting a nerve — many Americans have wanted solar for a long time but have not had an option that is feasible and affordable for them until now.' Kevin Chou, another founder of Bright Saver, said wider adoption of the systems in the U.S. has been hindered by utility policies that create uncertainty about whether they're allowed and a lack of state and local policies to make clear what rules apply. Some utilities contacted by The Associated Press say plug-in solar systems require the same interconnection applications as rooftop panels that send electricity back to the wider network. But Steven Hegedus, an electrical engineering professor at University of Delaware, said he doesn't understand why a utility would need to require an interconnection agreement for plug-in solar because, unlike rooftop systems, they are designed to prevent energy from flowing to the grid. Still, if in doubt, a customer should follow their utility's policy. During the early days of plug-in solar's growth, some opposition from utilities is likely since customers are buying less energy, said Robert Cudd, a research analyst at the California Center for Sustainable Communities at the University of California, Los Angeles. 'Utilities really prefer everyone being a predictable and generous consumer of the electricity they sell,' Cudd said. This year, Utah enacted a novel law supporting plug-in solar by exempting certain small-scale systems from interconnection agreements and establishing safety requirements such as being certified by a nationally recognized testing organization such as Underwriters Laboratories. It appears to be the only state that's passed legislation supporting plug-in solar, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Republican state Rep. Raymond Ward, who sponsored the legislation, said the smaller systems allow people to better manage where their energy comes from and what they pay. 'Europe has these things. You can go buy them and they work and people want them. There is no reason why we shouldn't have them here in the United States,' Ward said. Bright Saver says they are lobbying other states for similar legislation. Alexis Abramson, dean of the University of Columbia Climate School, also applauded Utah's move. 'We actually need more localities, more states putting in allowances for this type of equipment,' she said. Plug-in solar availability and savings potential Some questions remain about how much customers could save. Severin Borenstein, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business, said the cost of some portable solar systems in the U.S. would make it hard for customers to come out ahead on their utility bills over the time they own them. He estimates the price of a $2,000 system in the U.S. works out to paying about $0.20 a kilowatt-hour over a 25-year period, which only saves people money if they have high utility costs. By comparison, Borenstein said the cost of systems sold in Europe, typically around $600, is equivalent to paying about $0.05 or $0.06 per kilowatt-hour over 25 years. Baltimore resident Craig Keenan said saving money was only part of why he installed one of the smaller Bright Saver models on his balcony in July. 'I'm interested in renewable energy because the amount of carbon emissions that we produce as a species is very, very unsustainable for our world,' he said. He said he expects the system will save him about $40 per year on utility bills, so it would take him about 10 years to recoup the cost of the kit. Keenan, a mechanical engineer, said installation took him 10 to 15 minutes. 'I think anyone can install this,' he said. 'It's not complicated. It doesn't require a technical degree.' Other companies selling plug-in solar kits include Texas-based Craftstrom. It has sold about 2,000 systems in the U.S. since 2021, mostly in California, Texas and Florida. The company's basic kits contain a solar panel that can fit in a backyard or other sunny space, along with equipment to maintain and regulate the flow of energy including an inverter and smart meter. Kenneth Hutchings, Craftstrom's chief revenue officer, said their U.S. sales rose this year even before the passage of the GOP tax bill, and he expects demand for plug-in solar to increase further as federal rooftop solar credits expire. The company advises customers to notify their power company before installation, but it has "never had any pushback from any utility,' said Michael Scherer, one of the founders of Craftstrom. China-based EcoFlow plans to begin selling plug-in solar systems in Utah and expand to other states if supportive legislation is passed, said Ryan Oliver, a company spokesperson. 'This is an example of where technology is sort of ahead of the regulators,' Oliver said, adding: 'As this rolls out to more of a nationwide product, we expect it will become more mainstream as people understand it better." ___ Associated Press video journalist Mingson Lau in Baltimore contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Isabella O'malley, The Associated Press Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Trump invites Indiana lawmakers to the White House amid redistricting talks
This article will be updated. President Donald Trump has invited all 110 Republican members of the Indiana General Assembly to the White House for an Aug. 26 meeting, Punchchbowl News is reporting. Indiana may well become the next front in a nationwide fight over how congressional districts are drawn ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Trump administration hopes that lines can be redrawn to pad the Republican majority in the U.S. Congress. On Aug. 7, Vice President JD Vance discussed the prospect of redistricting in a meeting with Gov. Mike Braun and Indiana legislative leaders, but multiple members of Indiana's supermajority have already spoken out against the idea. "We are being asked to create a new culture in which it would be normal for a political party to select new voters, not once a decade — but any time it fears the consequences of an approaching election," State Sen. Spencer Deery, R-Lafayette, wrote in the most scathing statement yet on the subject. "That would clearly violate the concept of popular sovereignty by making it harder for the people to hold their elected officials accountable and the country would be an uglier place for it." To redraw the congressional maps in Indiana, Braun would need to call for a special session, bringing lawmakers back to approve new maps. Republicans already control seven of the nine congressional seats in Indiana. Spokespeople for the Indiana House Republicans and Indiana Senate Republicans did not immediately respond to confirm the invitation. Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@ Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@ or follow her on X@kayla_dwyer17. Hayleigh Colombo contributed reporting to this article. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana GOP lawmakers invited to White House amid redistricting talks
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump Says Semiconductor Tariffs Coming Soon, Could Reach 300%
(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump said he would set levies on semiconductors in the coming two weeks, the latest indication he's readying a substantial expansion of his tariff regime. 'I'll be setting tariffs next week and the week after, on steel and on, I would, say chips — chips and semiconductors, we'll be setting sometime next week, week after,' Trump told reporters Friday aboard Air Force One en route to Alaska for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US-Canadian Road Safety Gap Is Getting Wider Festivals and Parades Are Canceled Amid US Immigration Anxiety To Head Off Severe Storm Surges, Nova Scotia Invests in 'Living Shorelines' Five Years After Black Lives Matter, Brussels' Colonial Statues Remain For Homeless Cyclists, Bikes Bring an Escape From the Streets It wasn't clear if Trump misspoke about steel tariffs. He already hiked duties on steel and aluminum imports to 50% in June. The president has repeatedly promised that levies on chips and pharmaceuticals are coming within weeks, but no formal announcements have yet been made. Both sectors have been under Commerce Department investigation since April, a prerequisite for Trump to impose tariffs on national security grounds. That process can prove complicated and probes can take months or longer to resolve. Manufacturers and artificial intelligence firms have been eager for more clarity about his plans for semiconductor rates, since chips are included in a wide range of modern consumer products. Last week, Trump said during an event with Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook that he planned a 100% tariff on semiconductors, while exempting products from companies that are moving manufacturing to the US. The White House hasn't offered a subsequent explanation for how that exemption would work, but Trump implied that Apple — which has pledged a $600 billion domestic manufacturing initiative — could be exempt. On Friday, Trump suggested the charge on imported semiconductors could be even higher. 'I'm going to have a rate that is going to be 200%, 300%?' Trump said. The US president indicated that he could speak about tariffs with Putin, and said he believed the Russian leader planned to bring business leaders to the summit. 'I noticed he's bringing a lot of business people from Russia, and that's good I like that because they want to do business,' Trump said. 'But they're not doing business until we get the war settled.' Trump in recent weeks has threatened to impose higher tariff rates on purchasers of Russian energy, including a pledge to impose a 50% levy on goods from India. He has also suggested he could ratchet up economic costs on Moscow if the meeting does not go well. Americans Are Getting Priced Out of Homeownership at Record Rates What Declining Cardboard Box Sales Tell Us About the US Economy Bessent on Tariffs, Deficits and Embracing Trump's Economic Plan Dubai's Housing Boom Is Stoking Fears of Another Crash Twitter's Ex-CEO Is Moving Past His Elon Musk Drama and Starting an AI Company ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
