New rule forcing millions of Americans to file for benefits in person hits Georgia hardest after DOGE closed five Social Security offices across the state

According to an internal Social Security Administration (SSA) memo, the agency will change its processes to force millions of beneficiaries to file benefits claims in person at a field office, rather than over the phone. 

The memo anticipates the rule change will cause major upheaval in service delivery, particularly for beneficiaries who are elderly, disabled, or have limited mobility. These strains are compounded by Elon Musk’s DOGE Service’s plans to cut thousands of SSA jobs and close dozens more SSA field offices.

“No one voted for Elon Musk to take a chainsaw to Social Security,” said DPG spokesperson Alex Yerkey. “Donald Trump ran on protecting Social Security, and yet, here he is closing offices across Georgia, firing SSA workers, and putting benefits further out of reach for millions of Americans.”

DOGE’s cuts to Social Security made a public splash with the announced closings of 10 Social Security offices - a nation-leading five of them in Georgia - that provide customer service for the program’s beneficiaries. With nearly fifty more SSA office lease terminations on the way and an estimated 75,000 - 85,000 additional customers forced to apply for benefits in person each week, it’s hard to see how service delivery at the Social Security offices that remain open can keep up. 

The memo predicted a number of negative outcomes from the new rule, including “increased challenges for vulnerable populations,” “longer wait times and processing time,” “increased demand for office appointments,” “increased foot traffic” at local field offices, and “operational strain” - to say nothing of the legal challenges and public outcry the move is certain to elicit.