How DOGE's grand plan to remake Social Security is backfiring

Reporting cited here

1. documented

   SSA announced that applicants unable to use online identity verification would need to visit field offices for several claim types, a DOGE-backed policy introduced amid office and staff reductions.

   Passages and source records documenting: DOGE pushed millions of Social Security applicants toward in-person identity checks

   DOGE pushed millions of Social Security applicants toward in-person identity checks · SSA announced expanded in-person verification before partially narrowing the rule

2. reported

   After criticism from advocates and operational warnings, SSA revised the announced identity-verification policy to preserve telephone options for disability and Medicare claims while retaining tighter rules elsewhere.

   Passages and source records documenting: SSA narrowed its in-person mandate after access warnings

   SSA narrowed its in-person mandate after access warnings · Telephone applications remained available for disability and Medicare claims after the revision

3. reported

   The Washington Post reported that SSA abandoned a DOGE-backed bank-account verification change after legitimate beneficiaries were unable to complete claims and agency systems could not reliably implement it.

   Passages and source records documenting: SSA abandoned a DOGE anti-fraud check after it disrupted legitimate claims

   SSA abandoned a DOGE anti-fraud check after it disrupted legitimate claims · SSA withdrew the bank-account verification change after implementation problems