The Trump administration and Elon Musk’s move to cancel the leases of dozens of Social Security Administration offices across the country disproportionately affects red states, raising the prospect of longer drives and fewer in-person services for older adults.
The DOGE website states that the Social Security Administration is closing 47 leases across 21 states, although some of the specific closures apply to only part of a building or refer to buildings that don’t exist. Seventeen of the affected states voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.
Lawmakers said they’re monitoring the situation. But Republicans continued to be supportive of DOGE efforts, even as advocates for older adults warn that the closures could make it considerably more difficult for some people to access much-needed services.