The Social Security Administration (SSA) is making significant changes to its communication strategy and workforce structure. According to sources, the agency will no longer issue press releases or “Dear Colleague” letters to inform the media and the public about programmatic and service changes. Instead, the SSA will exclusively use the social media platform X for public communications.
Linda Kerr-Davis, an SSA regional commissioner, informed managers about the shift earlier this week. “We are no longer planning to issue press releases or those dear colleague letters to inform the media and public about programmatic and service changes. Instead, the agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public … so this will become our communication mechanism,” she said.
The change in communication strategy coincides with substantial staffing cuts across the agency. The SSA workforce in regional offices is expected to decrease by approximately 87 percent. These positions manage various functions, including IT support, addressing policy questions, handling labor relations issues, providing guidance on reasonable accommodations, and overseeing public relations.
Since February, the SSA has cut 7,000 jobs, as confirmed by The Washington Post. Currently, 547 employees work in nearly a dozen regional offices, down from approximately 700.
SSA transitions to X
This number is expected to drop to around 70 after the cuts. Kerr-Davis acknowledged the potential consequences of the restructuring, particularly in combating fraud. “Won’t losing subject matter experts lead directly to fraud, waste, and abuse?” she addressed during the call, admitting, “We do rely on [their] help … Things are going to break, and they’re going to break fast.”
The shift to X for public communications raises concerns about accessibility for senior citizens and others who rely on traditional communication methods.
SSA staff may also find it challenging to stay informed, as they require special security requests to access social media on government computers. In response to inquiries, White House spokesperson Liz Huston stated, “This reporting is misleading. The Social Security Administration is actively communicating with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
There has not been a reduction in the workforce. Instead, to improve the delivery of services, staff are being reassigned from regional offices to front-line help, allocating finite resources where they are most needed. President Trump will always continue to protect Social Security.”
As the SSA navigates these changes, Kerr-Davis sounded resigned during the call.
“I know this probably sounds very foreign to you. It did to me as well,” she said. “It’s not what we are used to, but we are in different times now.”
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