Nearly 90% of people age 65 and older receive some form of social security benefit. Additionally, more than 11 million disabled Americans under the age of 65 rely on benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) through either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both. All in all, about 73 million Americans receive social security benefits.

With the recent news that the SSA will be cutting approximately 7,000 jobs — about a 12% reduction in staffing under the new federal administration, it’s no surprise that many social security benefit holders are feeling nervous about the state of their benefits. While the layoffs are a challenging loss for the former employees affected, it’s important to know that nothing has changed for social security benefit holders. There will be no change in benefit amounts, and payments will continue as planned. With the reduction in force, it will take a longer amount of time for the SSA to review applications, offer support, and review denials, but social security payments are not changing or stopping.

As of January 6, 2025, the SSA requires scheduled in-person appointments, so walk-in appointments are no longer allowed.

What Will Happen if Social Security is Cut?

In general, if you’re a social security benefit holder or are seeking social security benefits, you can expect some delays due to the recent layoffs. Anticipate longer wait times for disability application processing, appointment scheduling, assistance services, and denial claims. With a significant reduction in force, fewer employees will be handling the same amount of work, which will lead to longer wait times.

The impact of Social Security cuts depends on the specific changes made and the types of benefits an individual receives.

For Retirees

Retirees are the largest group of social security beneficiaries. For many, this income is their primary source of financial support. Potential cuts could affect:

• Monthly Payments — The most direct impact would be a reduction in the monthly benefit amount. Even a small reduction could mean losing hundreds of dollars each year. For seniors on a fixed income, this could mean difficult choices between essentials like housing, food, and healthcare.
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) — Social security benefits are adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. Changing how COLAs are calculated would lead to smaller annual increases, making it more difficult for retirees to keep up with everyday expenses.

For Individuals With Disabilities

SSDI provides essential financial support to people who can no longer work because of a serious medical condition. Cuts could severely affect their financial stability and access to necessary care:

• Stricter Eligibility Requirements — One of the ways to cut costs is by tightening the rules for who qualifies for benefits. That might mean reducing what counts as a disability or requiring people to have worked longer to be eligible, potentially cutting off people who genuinely cannot work.
• Lower Benefit Amounts — Cuts to monthly SSDI payments would cause financial strain to beneficiaries who already face high medical costs and other expenses related to their condition.

For Survivors and Dependents

Social security also provides benefits to the surviving spouses and children of deceased workers. These survivor benefits are a lifeline for families who have lost their primary breadwinner. Cuts could affect a family’s ability to pay for housing, education, groceries, healthcare, and more.

How Far Back Does SSDI and SSI Retroactive Pay Go?

If there are any delays between your disability onset date and the date your SSDI or SSI application gets approved, you may be owed back pay — also called retroactive benefits. This is a common scenario if you were originally denied benefits but then appealed the denial and won your case.

The SSA determines a disability onset date — the date your disability began and you became eligible for benefits. Retroactive benefits date back to that onset date, with a 5-month waiting period from onset before back pay begins. Even with SSA staffing reductions, this process remains the same. You will still receive back pay if you are owed it — the only difference is that the process may take longer.

How Do You Get Social Security Benefits?

While the SSA layoffs are not changing the processes around applying for or receiving social security benefits, delays and slower processing times are expected. To improve your chances of getting approved:

Act Fast

Submit your application as soon as possible. With anticipated delays, getting your claim in front of the SSA early matters. You can apply for SSDI benefits as soon as you’re no longer able to work — just keep in mind you’ll need to prove your disability will keep you out of work for at least one year to qualify.

Remember that the SSA no longer takes walk-in appointments. If you need to meet with the SSA, schedule your appointment in advance, as wait times for available slots can be days or weeks.

Work With an Experienced Disability Attorney

If your initial application is denied, do not give up. Appealing a denial is complex, and having experienced legal representation significantly improves your chances of approval. National Disability connects individuals across all 50 states with experienced SSDI and SSI attorneys who handle every stage of the appeals process — from reconsideration through Administrative Law Judge hearings — on a no-win, no-fee basis. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.