The move is part of “a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing costs and enhancing the Electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (eCBSV) service,” the agency explained. “This initiative is designed to ensure the continued viability of the eCBSV service while addressing the needs of customers, including the financial industry and various governmental bodies.”
“We are committed to enhancing the eCBSV service to better serve our stakeholders and effectively combat identity fraud,” said Lee Dudek, the SSA’s acting commissioner. “By reducing costs and improving our processes, we aim to provide a more accessible and efficient tool for financial institutions and other entities.”
The changes are being implemented at a time when SSA, reportedly at the direction of the U.S. DOGE Service, plans to reduce the agency’s footprint by closing 47 regional offices across the country. The Associated Press (AP) obtained an internal planning document from the General Services Administration (GSA), cross-referenced with a DOGE-published list of federal real estate leases it seeks to terminate.
“Of the 47 Social Security Administration offices listed for closure, only some had anticipated dates for when those lease cancellations would take effect,” the AP reported.
In a state-by-state list of the 26 offices expected to be more immediately impacted, offices in 18 states — including four offices in North Carolina alone, the most of any single state — are reportedly planned for closure between April and September of this year.
Nancy LeaMond, the chief advocacy and engagement officer at influential senior advocacy organization AARP, blasted the moves. She said they will worsen the ability of older Americans to engage with a program that often serves as their sole source of income in later life.
She told CBS they will “result in more headaches and longer wait times to resolve routine customer service needs.” She also criticized agency personnel who are making the changes without a stated impact assessment for program beneficiaries.
“[This announcement] not only comes as a total surprise but is on an impractical fast-track,” LeaMond said. “SSA needs to be transparent about its service changes and seek input from the older Americans who will be affected. Because any delay in Social Security caused by this change can mean real economic hardship.”
A White House spokesperson told the AP that it is “looking out for seniors by doing this,” saying the changes are designed to combat fraud in the system.
But older Americans — particularly those who live alone — can encounter unique challenges when needing to travel longer distances to make use of vital services.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear voiced these concerns, telling CBS that “some of our oldest Kentuckians, who are living on a fixed income, who don’t have the resources to travel, have to travel hours to get basic questions answered.”
