Pallone, Democratic Colleagues Successfully Stall Trump’s Social Security Phone Cuts

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and his Democratic colleagues have forced the Trump Administration to delay a controversial plan to eliminate phone-based services at the Social Security Administration (SSA) - a move that would have created massive barriers for millions of Americans, especially seniors and people with disabilities who rely on live phone support to access their benefits.

The delay follows a hard-hitting letter from Pallone and signed by over 60 House Democrats, demanding that SSA reverse course. The lawmakers warned that stripping away phone-based services would gut a vital access point at an agency already strained by surging workloads, staff shortages, and widespread field office closures.

"This Administration is rightly feeling the heat," said Pallone. "Trump's plan would have been devastating for the seniors and disabled New Jersayans who don't use the internet and can't get an appointment at a field office. It's unacceptable for the Trump Administration to force them into a broken digital system with no backup. Public outcry has bought us time, but we're not letting up."

Last week, Pallone wrote to SSA Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek, raising alarm over reports that the agency, under pressure from the White House, was rushing to implement sweeping changes without sufficient planning, transparency, or input from the public. According to the agency's own data, SSA receives nearly 80 million calls each year, and roughly 40 percent of all Social Security claims are processed over the phone.

The proposed changes would have eliminated a key method of identity verification by phone, requiring individuals to either prove their identity online - despite technical issues and access gaps - or travel to in-person offices that are often understaffed or closed altogether.

Following the outcry, SSA announced it will delay the changes until at least April 14 and partially roll back its identity verification requirements for Medicare, disability, and SSI applicants. But Pallone made clear this is only a temporary reprieve.

"Trump and Musk have made no secret of their desire to dismantle Social Security, and this was one more step in that direction," Pallone continued. "We're not going to let them sabotage the system in plain sight. Americans who've worked their whole lives and paid into the system deserve real service, not endless hold times and website error messages."

Read the full letter Pallone sent SSA here.