Social Security Administration stands firm on keeping local offices open

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTVO) — The Social Security Administration clarified that it has no plans to close local field offices recommended for closure by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including the one in Rockford, and will not do so without a congressional directive.

Under President Trump’s direction, DOGE is conducting an audit of federal real estate as part of a cost-cutting measure to reduce taxpayer waste.

In early March, DOGE published a list of Social Security offices it recommended for closure, including the SSA building at 502 E. Jefferson Street.

On Friday, the Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. said, “SSA is committed to providing service where people need help and our local field offices are no exception. We have not permanently closed any local field offices this year.”

The SSA said one office, in White Plains, NY, was planning to close.

“SSA works closely with local congressional delegations before closing any office permanently. The agency also reassigns employees from an affected office to other locations to help communities access in-person services,” the agency said in a press release.

The agency said it did provide a list of general services administration buildings for termination, which it said are mostly hearing rooms with no assigned employees. Since most hearings are held online, the SSA said it no longer needs those facilities.