Baldwin Demands Answers from Trump Administration on Social Security Workforce Reductions, Office Closures in Wisconsin

Baldwin: “As far as I can tell, this is all about taking Social Security benefits away from seniors in our state – all so they can fund their tax breaks for big corporations.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) demanded answers from the Trump administration on their plan to protect Wisconsin seniors’ benefits amid office closures and staffing cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA) that will leave beneficiaries with fewer places to turn when accessing their earned benefits. Specifically, Baldwin called out the Trump administration cutting 1/3 of the total staff in its Wausau region, including all management in Wisconsin Rapids.

“Wisconsinites pay into Social Security over a lifetime of hard work. But instead of helping our seniors access their earned benefits, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are gutting the agency and putting up roadblocks for Wisconsinites who often rely on Social Security to pay rent, keep the heat on, and put food on the table,” said Senator Baldwin. “If you fire people at the Social Security Agency, who is going to help our seniors get their benefits? As far as I can tell, this is all about taking Social Security benefits away from seniors in our state – all so they can fund their tax breaks for big corporations. We need answers.”

In February, Elon Musk announced his DOGE initiative, which continues to gut services Wisconsinites rely on, was closing dozens of local Social Security offices nationwide, including terminating the leases for two Social Security offices in Green Bay and Wausau. The office closures come as the Trump Administration announced that starting March 31 they would eliminate over-the-phone verification, instead requiring some recipients to visit a Social Security office in-person to prove their identity. Meanwhile, staffing cuts at the agency have hit 1 in 3 staff in the Wausau district – which includes Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids and Rhinelander – including all management in Wisconsin Rapids.

In a letter today to Leland Dudek, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Senator Baldwin posed the following questions to the Trump Administration and requested a response no later than April 15, 2025:

• What is the current status of Social Security Administration offices and leases for these offices in Wisconsin?
• What are the current staffing levels at each of the Social Security Administration offices in Wisconsin? How have staffing levels changed since January 19, 2025?
• What additional changes in operations and leases is the Social Security Administration considering for offices in Wisconsin for the remainder of the year?
• What additional workforce changes is Social Security Administration considering for offices in Wisconsin for the remainder of the year?

This letter comes on the heels of Senator Baldwin’s continued work to protect Wisconsin seniors’ benefits. Last week, Senator Baldwin called on the Trump Administration to reverse course on their plan to instate in-person verification that will put up roadblocks for seniors to access their benefits, especially in Wisconsin’s rural communities. She also spoke out against Donald Trump’s plan to slash the SSA workforce, which helps seniors access their benefits.

A full version of this letter is available here and below.

Dear Acting Commissioner Dudek,

I write to request information about the Social Security Administration’s offices and operations in Wisconsin, including staffing cuts and office closures announced during the first few months of the Trump Administration by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Last month, the Social Security Administration announced its plan to significantly reduce its workforce and close offices across the country, including offices in Green Bay and Wausau. Moreover, my staff was informed that, due to agency restructuring, the Wausau district—which includes Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids and Rhinelander—has lost 1/3 of total staff, including all management in Wisconsin Rapids.

This information is greatly concerning and raises questions about your misguided restructuring and reductions in workforce. It will mean longer wait times and reduced service for Social Security beneficiaries, including older and low-income Americans, people who live in rural communities, and veterans. This update further shines a light on the devastating impacts of the Trump Administration’s continued prioritization of Elon Musk’s demands over the needs of Wisconsinites.

I ask that you respond to the following questions no later than April 15, 2025:

• What is the current status of Social Security Administration offices and leases for these offices in Wisconsin?
• What are the current staffing levels at each of the Social Security Administration offices in Wisconsin? How have staffing levels changed since January 19, 2025?
• What additional changes in operations and leases is the Social Security Administration considering for offices in Wisconsin for the remainder of the year?
• What additional workforce changes is Social Security Administration considering for offices in Wisconsin for the remainder of the year?

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.