Amidst Reported Threats to the Social Security Phone Line, Moskowitz, Green Lead 60 House Democrats Urging the Trump Administration to Safeguard Phone Service For Social Security Beneficiaries

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressmen Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23) and Al Green (D-TX-09) announced that they are leading 60 House Democrats to urge the Trump Administration to safeguard call assistance at the Social Security Administration. Their push comes amidst reports that Elon Musk’s DOGE considered ending the phone service meant for Americans filing retirement and disability claims. Although the Social Security Administration has said that it would abandon the proposal, the lawmakers are now calling on Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek to ensure the service stays protected moving forward.

In their letter, Moskowitz, Green, and their colleagues emphasized the importance of phone service for Social Security benefits, particularly for Americans who cannot access online services due to technological limitations, lack of internet access, or physical and cognitive impairments. As they wrote, “Eliminating or reducing phone services would leave these individuals without the support they rely on to manage their benefits.”

Cutting phone service, they continue, would also exacerbate backlogs and wait times at the Social Security Administration, which are already increased due to ongoing staffing shortages there.

The group concluded, “We strongly urge you to consider the individuals who may be harmed, as eliminating or reducing phone services would create unnecessary barriers for the most vulnerable populations, at a time when they already face so many challenges. Social Security benefits are earned entitlements that individuals contribute to throughout their entire working lives, and every American deserves the opportunity to access those benefits in a way that is accessible and equitable.”

Phone-based claims at the Social Security Administration account for about 40 percent of all claims processed. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the agency received nearly 80 million calls to its 1-800 number, which Americans use for claims processing, direct-deposit transactions, updates to personal information, answers to their questions, and more.

More than 7 million seniors receive at least 90 percent of their income from Social Security, and nearly 160,000 Floridians depend on Social Security in Florida’s 23rd Congressional district.

For the group’s full letter to Trump Administration officials, click HERE.

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