Macon residents frustrated with service following Social Security staffing cuts

Maconites are starting to feel the impact of the Trump administration’s cuts to the Social Security Administration. 

After the SSA began eliminating roughly 7,000 jobs in February to “reduce the size of its bloated workforce and organizational structure,” Macon residents say they have found it more difficult to claim benefits, set up appointments and reach employees by phone. 

Visit Macon’s Social Security office, a brick building just past the intersection of Riverside and Northside drives, and you’ll struggle to talk to an employee, much less see one. There’s no front desk clerk and folks have to schedule appointments ahead of time and check-in for appointments via a digital kiosk. 

Even then, you might struggle to get help. The Melody talked with Maconites outside of the office last week who were frustrated by the lack of service. Macon’s Walter Hollinger said he had an appointment scheduled but was turned away and told to return in a couple of weeks. 

He was trying to get a Social Security card so he could start working, but hasn’t been able to get help setting it up. He said he wasn’t told why his appointment was rescheduled. 

Zareeyah Williams said she tried to claim her disability benefits by phone but waited for about two hours. When she went to the Riverside Drive office, she was turned away and told to make an appointment.

“This is ridiculous, something needs to be done,” said one woman, who didn’t want The Melody to identify her. “It wasn’t like this before.”

It could be worse for Maconites. Five Social Security offices in Georgia were slated to be closed — in Brunswick, Columbus, Gainesville, Thomasville, and Vidalia — prompting condemnation from Sen. Raphael Warnock, who said that “permanently closing five Georgia Social Security offices will make it harder for Georgia seniors, especially in rural areas, to enroll in the program, solve payment issues, report fraud, and more.”

State Sen. David Lucas, D-Macon, said he has also heard concerns about staff cuts and poor service at Macon’s Social Security office. He said his daughter, who works at the SSA, was offered a buyout.

“They can’t get anybody at the office,” he said. “I understand they had about five offices that closed in Georgia, and now they are supposedly being reopened.” 

The Social Security Administration also updated its identity verification requirements for new applicants and recipients who want to update their direct deposit information. The verification process requires those applying for benefits by phone or paper to come into the local social security office.

The additional verification process was established to combat fraud, according to an SSA news release.

Social Security recipients will continue receiving their benefits despite staffing cuts, a White House spokesperson said.