An expected wave of closures will affect 26 Social Security Administration (SSA) offices across the United States in 2025, attributed to initiatives led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This move aligns with a broader agenda of reducing government size, as outlined by the Trump administration.
The targeted closures are part of a strategic plan by DOGE, which has released a comprehensive list of nearly 800 federal real estate leases it intends to cancel. According to an internal planning document obtained by The Associated Press from the General Services Administration (GSA), the real estate manager for the federal government, about two-thirds of these cancellations will be implemented this year. This decision coincides with the introduction of stricter identity-proofing measures aimed at preventing Social Security fraud and abuse.
These revised measures will require numerous SSA recipients and applicants to verify their identities in person at field offices or through online channels, rather than via phone interactions. This shift has sparked opposition among advocacy groups and retirees, as it mandates physical visits to SSA field locations amid widespread office closures.
DOGE’s list, which includes detailed information such as addresses and lease termination dates, outlines the anticipated closure of 47 SSA offices. Of these, 26 offices are expected to close within the current year. The offices, spanning states from Alabama to Wyoming, include: Gadsden, AL; Forrest City, AR; Texarkana, AR; Grand Junction, CO; Melbourne, FL; Columbus, GA; Hazard, KY; Houma, LA; Meridian, MS; Greenwood, MS; Grenada, MS; Missoula, MT; Roanoke Rapids, NC; Franklin, NC; Greenville, NC; Elizabeth City, NC; Minot, ND; Las Vegas, NV; White Plains, NY; Poughkeepsie, NY; Mansfield, OH; Lawton, OK; Nacogdoches, TX; NE Zac Lentz Parkway, TX; Logan, WV; Rock Springs, WY.
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The transition to more stringent identity checks and in-person requirements represents a significant change in SSA’s operations, impacting millions. As SSA offices face closures, affected individuals may experience longer travel distances and potential delays in service access.
The move has prompted widespread demonstrations, most notably in Baltimore and New York. In Baltimore, protesters assembled outside the Edward A. Garmatz U.S. District Courthouse, voicing concerns over DOGE’s access to Social Security data. Similarly, protests in New York have seen arrests as demonstrators opposed actions by Elon Musk and DOGE, emphasizing the disruption caused to local communities by the closure of essential government services.
The upcoming closures of Social Security offices, driven by federal cost-cutting measures, present significant challenges for millions relying on these services. As the Trump administration continues its efforts to streamline government operations, the balancing act between efficiency and public accessibility remains a point of contention. The effects of these changes will likely persist, necessitating close monitoring of the impacts on affected communities.
Expected Closures: List of Social Security Offices Across the US This Year
Alabama
634 Broad St., Gadsden: Sept. 30
Arkansas
965 Holiday Drive, Forrest City: April 25
4083 Jefferson Ave., Texarkana: May 25
Colorado
825 N. Crest Drive, Grand Junction: June 21
Florida
4740 Dairy Road, Melbourne: May 16
Georgia
1338 Broadway, Columbus: Sept. 30
Kentucky
825 High St., Hazard: April 24
Louisiana
178 Civic Center Drive, Houma: April 25
Mississippi
4717 26th St., Meridian: June 1
604 Yalobusha St., Greenwood: June 1
2383 Sunset Drive, Grenada: May 1
Montana
3701 American Way, Missoula: June 21
North Carolina
730 Roanoke Ave., Roanoke Rapids: Aug. 1
2123 Lakeside Drive, Franklin: June 23
2805 Charles Blvd., Greenville: June 24
1865 W. City Drive, Elizabeth City: June 24
North Dakota
1414 20th Ave. SW, Minot: June 21
Nevada
701 Bridger Ave., Las Vegas: June 1
New York
75 S. Broadway, White Plains: May 31
332 Main St., Poughkeepsie: July 31
Ohio
30 N. Diamond St., Mansfield: May 17
Oklahoma
1610 SW Lee Blvd., Lawton: April 25
Texas
1122 N. University Drive, Nacogdoches: May 7
8208 NE Zac Lentz Parkway, May 25
West Virginia
1103 George Kostas Drive, Logan: April 30
Wyoming
79 Winston Drive, Rock Springs: June 20
