Local Social Security offices on the DOGE chopping block

Mar 3

Written By HVNY

Social Security Offices in Poughkeepsie and White Plains are slated to close as part of cuts planned by the federal administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

In-person services at Social Security offices include assistance applying and receiving benefits, especially for the elderly, disabled and veterans.

The Poughkeepsie office, located at 322 Main Street, has been “closed temporarily” since January without a date for reopening, and is now slated to terminate its lease at the end of July 2025, according to the DOGE website.

“This is exactly what I feared when it closed for ‘temporary renovations,’” Congressman Pat Ryan said.

The DOGE website shows the annual lease for the Poughkeepsie Social Security office as $359,135 with an end of term slated for July 31, 2025. A lease termination notice was sent to the White Plains Social Security Office on January 29, with the lease scheduled to terminate on May 31, 2025.

The Social Security Office in West Nyack is now also closed to in-person services.

“The closest Social Security Office for most people in our county was added to the federal ‘cut list’ and has been closed,” Ulster County Executive Jen Mertzger said. “This is a terrible decision affecting seniors, the disabled, wounded veterans, and surviving spouses and children.”

The Social Security Administration’s White Plains hearing office serves as a central hub for seven Hudson Valley 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.”

“Social Security is a sacred promise that this country makes to its citizens,” said Attorney General Letitia 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 … Our federal government should be working to uphold Social Security, not whittle it away.”

A rally against the closure, organized by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3343 group, is planned for Tuesday, March 4, 2025 beginning at noon outside of the Poughkeepsie Social Security Office at 322 Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie.

“The chaos of the Trump Administration is directly hurting our Hudson Valley seniors. Musk is spending his time going after our sensitive data and now pushing out the head of the Social Security Administration – and Hudson Valley families are paying the price,” said Congressman Pat Ryan.

To access Social Security benefits and information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call the toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213.