The Social Security Administration (SSA) is considering a proposal to stop making payments to people without Social Security numbers, which could imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrant children with disabilities. The move, part of the administration’s immigration policies, aims to bar payments to payees without SSNs, including most disabled children and elderly or disabled adults.
Currently, the SSA can make someone a representative payee even if they don’t have an SSN. However, a new policy proposal would require payees with no SSN to be replaced. This could create a crisis for families relying on these benefits.
Former Commissioner Martin O’Malley connected the proposal to misinformation spread by President Trump during his campaign, claiming that the SSA is wasting taxpayer funds. He argued that reducing the agency’s workforce and discontinuing certain services would not address the problem of overpayment.
O’Malley also criticized Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek’s approach to improving efficiency at the SSA, calling it “disruptive” and stating that it would lead to job losses and decreased service quality. Former SSA commissioners from both parties have expressed similar concerns, urging swift action on key nominations to ensure stability at the agency.
The SSA has announced plans to recoup 100% of a beneficiary’s monthly check in instances where they had previously been overpaid. The agency also recently restricted changes to direct deposit information over the phone due to fraud concerns.
As the SSA navigates these changes, families relying on benefits are left wondering how these decisions will impact their access to essential services.
Source: https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/03/ssa-weighs-axing-payments-170000-beneficiaries/403740