OPM’s “deferred resignation” email to federal employees this week triggered more chaos & uncertainty. If it hollows out the civil service, it will harm ppl’s ability to access benefits & services-even those the Trump Admin purports to protect. Case in point: the Social Security Administration. 1/ - ThreadSky

kathleenromig.bsky.social • 28 days ago

OPM’s “deferred resignation” email to federal employees this week triggered more chaos & uncertainty. If it hollows out the civil service, it will harm ppl’s ability to access benefits & services-even those the Trump Admin purports to protect.

Case in point: the Social Security Administration. 1/

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kathleenromig.bsky.social•28 days ago

As we have documented for years, staffing at Social Security Administration has plummeted—even as the number of beneficiaries has reached a record high—triggering a customer service crisis that hurts the nation’s retirees, people with disabilities, and survivors. 2/

https://www.cbpp.org/blog/ssa-budget-will-worsen-customer-service-crisis-but-investment-in-2025-could-fund-turnaround

kathleenromig.bsky.social•28 days ago

The Social Security Admin doesn’t need *fewer* employees, it needs *more*. Cutting the # of people who are answering its 800 number, staffing its 1,600 field offices across the country, and processing claims will only hurt Social Security applicants and beneficiaries. 3/ https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security-administration-cuts-hurt-every-state

lilygreen.bsky.social•28 days ago

just as the largest gen of new users enter...

kathleenromig.bsky.social•28 days ago

Now the waits on #SSA’s 800 number are so long that the *majority* of callers abandon their calls w/o talking to an agent. The wait for an initial decision on a disability decision is 7+ months, the highest ever.

With fewer staff, things will go from bad to worse. 4/ https://www.ssa.gov/ssa-performance

kathleenromig.bsky.social•28 days ago

The Trump hiring freeze EO purports to protect Social Security service, saying “nothing in this memorandum shall adversely impact the provision of Social Security.” But this is meaningless.

SSA has been under a hiring freeze since Nov 24 b/c of extreme funding constraints under the CR. 5/

kathleenromig.bsky.social•28 days ago

The effects of the “deferred resignation” offer, hiring freeze, & funding cuts--likely to grow deeper--will cause real pain to Social Security applicants & beneficiaries.

This undermines Prez Trump’s oft-repeated promise not to cut #SocialSecurity. What good is a benefit you can’t access? 6/

birdman100.bsky.social•27 days ago

Theory:

Elon wants to funnel money to private contractors and “his services”. Stop elon please

sniffit.bsky.social•28 days ago

Feature, not a bug. Anyone with any form of prominence or a platform that means their voice is heard who fails to talk about these negative consequences as INTENDED and THE GOAL is doing everyone a disservice. These horrifying results are not accidental, unforeseen or ancillary knock-on effects.

kathleenromig.bsky.social•28 days ago

PS I’m purposely not using the term “buyout,” because if you read the fine print, that’s not what it is. It’s not even clear that it’s legal.

Check out the great explainers from @donmoyn.bsky.social & @lawfare.bsky.social 7/7

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/breaking-down-opm-s--fork-in-the-road--email-to-federal-workers

caliwash83.bsky.social•28 days ago

This is one where I think Dems could make inroads with single-issue voters by hammering home to retirees that they're Social Security experiences could he so much better with Dems in charge because they'd increase staffing to provide them faster and better service.

sparklerblue2.bsky.social•28 days ago

Impeachable offense number five.

cammyt.bsky.social•28 days ago

Isn't that the intent? That people will just give up?

hapchem.bsky.social•28 days ago

y'know, if the Dems were smart/not willing to be quislings, they could run ads in SC and FL (the Villages) saying, "You know how hard it is to get help from Social Security? It's going to get harder thanks to Trump and the GOP."

dameofdestiny.bsky.social•28 days ago

Not if you're Trump trolls who want to kill Social Security. They won't need employees then.

sterne.bsky.social•28 days ago

that is the goal! cruelty is the point, right behind appropriating more assets for the billionaire class

silverwillow.bsky.social•28 days ago

I am furious about what Elon Musk & his team are doing. This is at best a hostile takeover &, at worst, a literal coup attempt. He was not elected by the American people. Though he was appointed by Trump, he hasn't undergone Congressional vetting.
Challenge him & protect our Social Security!

lindabosredsoxy.bsky.social•27 days ago

On top of the shortage, now Musk has access2 all our records &personal info across US Treasury? Reports he has set up servers &his minions camped out 2 get all the info! He’s not even a vetted govt employee will there even be funds left for anyone when he’s done? https://www.reuters.com/world/us/senior-us-treasury-official-david-lebryk-leave-agency-soon-wapo-reports-2025-01-31/

birdman100.bsky.social•27 days ago

Its fuc88img insane.

A coup of sorts

mnterrier.bsky.social•28 days ago

We had to call the SSA recently it was a 3.5 hour wait to talk to someone (who was extremely helpful )
We had tried 2 days before and gave up after a 5 hour wait .

kathleenromig.bsky.social•28 days ago

I'm so sorry, this is awful!!! Thanks for sharing--a great illustration of the problem. And that's BEFORE further cuts and attrition.

birdman100.bsky.social•27 days ago

Theory : do they want to break it so they funnel money to private cronies?

Oligarchs rule now

mnterrier.bsky.social•28 days ago

The reason we had to call is a large benefit payment when my wife was on disability due to cancer treatment was sent back to them because they had transposed 2 of the bank account numbers . More mistakes like that will happen with less further cuts

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