Officials Fighting to Keep Social Security Offices Open

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James last Thursday sent a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Lee Dudek, warning that plans to close the White Plains hearing office and reduce services at the Poughkeepsie field office will harm New Yorkers. The letter notes that President Trump previously vowed to protect Social Security and not negatively impact it, but these office changes seem to violate those promises. Attorney General James stressed that Social Security should be protected, not harmed by cuts or by poor administration of benefits.

“Social Security is a sacred promise that this country makes to its citizens,” said Attorney General James. “Seniors and people with disabilities throughout the Hudson Valley rely on the White Plains and Poughkeepsie offices to ensure they receive the support they deserve. Protecting access to Social Security and the rights of vulnerable New Yorkers must transcend politics and be a principle that all those in public service support. I urge Acting Commissioner Dudek to protect New Yorkers and reconsider closing the White Plains office and reducing services in Poughkeepsie. Our federal government should be working to uphold Social Security, not whittle it away.”

The Social Security Administration’s White Plains hearing office provides services for New Yorkers throughout the Hudson Valley and serves as a central hub for seven counties, including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. Given the number of impacted senior citizens and disabled New Yorkers who rely on its services, this office already has a backlog of approximately 2,000 cases. Rather than investing in addressing the backlog, eliminating the office would exacerbate the problem and harm even more vulnerable New Yorkers.

The Trump administration is also reducing services at the Poughkeepsie Social Security office, rather than offer the full services New Yorkers in the Hudson Valley need to address issues that can come up with the benefits they receive. Attorney General James noted that anyone who needs services beyond what are currently provided at the Poughkeepsie office would have to travel more than an hour away, which is a severe burden on senior citizens and disabled New Yorkers who receive Social Security support. Attorney General James concludes her letter to Acting Director Dudek by stressing that the promise of Social Security is not, and must not become, a political issue, but instead should be an area where all leaders prioritize common cause.

“The closure of the hearing office in my district means that seniors and people who are disabled will have to travel much longer distances – as far away as Albany and New Haven— at greater expense, to fight for their benefits,” said U.S. Representative George Latimer. “The lack of commitment by the Trump administration to identify a new site is harmful to the 16th Congressional district, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is frankly unacceptable to just relocate clients to distant locations. Thank you to Attorney General Letitia James for being a leader for our state on this pressing issue.”

“I have expressed my outrage at the looming closure of the Social Security Administration’s hearing office in White Plains directly to both the Biden and Trump administrations,” said U.S. Representative Mike Lawler. “I’ll keep working in a bipartisan way to prevent it from happening. While this move may have begun in December of 2024, it should not be seen through – too many folks in the Hudson Valley would be negatively impacted.”

“Fundamentally, Social Security is a promise of protection, ensuring that all Americans can look forward to a standard of dignity as they age and retire,” said Senator James Skoufis. “Access and availability is vital to preserving and maintaining that standard. I can still remember the relief my constituents felt when the Social Security Administration office resumed in-person services after the pandemic. This was a big deal for Hudson Valley residents, who needed assistance with retirement, disability, Medicare, and other federal benefits. Closing the office in White Plains, and the possibility of limiting service in Poughkeepsie, would be a huge disservice to those in our community who need the support of a local, in-person office most. Social Security is a compact between the United States government and its citizens, and it is incumbent on the federal government to ensure it makes good on that promise.”

“Shuttering our Poughkeepsie Social Security office and the pending closure in White Plains puts an unconscionable burden on our neighbors, from seniors to wounded veterans, and individuals with disabilities, who rely on these vital benefits and the convenience of local services,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “It’s the federal government’s job to administer Social Security—that job includes making sure no one is left behind or subject to delays and roadblocks. We need clarity from the SSA on their plans and a commitment to ensuring these facilities remain available locally. I thank New York Attorney General James for standing with us in this fight.”

“The potential closure of the White Plains hearing office and the uncertainty surrounding the Poughkeepsie field office are alarming signals of how careless federal policies are eroding essential services,” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “This is just the beginning—if we don’t hold the line now, more New Yorkers will be left without the resources they depend on. We cannot allow bureaucratic neglect to strip away Social Security access for our seniors and people with disabilities. We will stand firm and push back against these reckless decisions before more communities are left behind.”