‘We're worried': New Social Security rules cause confusion and worry for seniors
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — New requirements that Social Security recipients access key benefits solely online or in person have left a number of older adults who rely on that income confused and worried about what this means when it comes to getting that check.
Lifespan CEO Ann Marie Cook told News 8 Tuesday she had received multiple calls that day alone from people with social security benefits, asking what these changes mean for them. She said her goal is to put people's fears at ease.
'If they don't have to make changes to social security, and they're already receiving social security, they don't have to do anything,' Cook said.
Cook said the concern, however, does not stop there.
'If people can't call social security and get through, it really, really impacts them,' Cook said. 'There's only a couple offices here, and for many people, unfortunately, that could be a hardship getting to them. And there's a lot of people, a lot of older adults, that don't have access to a computer or online services, so they will need support.'
The phone service is set to go dark on March 31 — requiring people to go online or to a Social Security office.
According to President Donald Trump and administration officials, those changes are intended to streamline the process and combat widespread fraud within the system. Cook worries about the potential impact.
'An example would be changing bank accounts. You can verify that and do that online or go to a social security office, but you won't be able to finish that process on the phone anymore,' Cook said. 'It is my understanding that they're cutting the staff of social security. The wait lines to get in social security were already long, and they'll just get longer.'
For older adults, Cook said Lifespan can help those without access to a computer.
'We have older adult centers with computers that we can help them with. We can go to their homes and help them with that, to help them get online access if that's what they need, or we can help them arrange transportation to the Social Security office if they need something like that,' Cook said. 'Whenever you take away access to something as important as social security, it will negatively impact people. We're worried.'
Cook also told News 8 she encourages people with issues and concerns to call Lifespan, but also to call their legislators and explain how these changes are impacting their lives. She said it does make a difference.
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