Disability Groups Sue Over Social Security Service Cuts

Disability Groups Sue Over Social Security Service Cuts

A coalition of disability advocates has filed a federal lawsuit against the Social Security Administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The lawsuit challenges recent Social Security service cuts that advocates claim create significant barriers for vulnerable citizens trying to access their benefits.

The legal action, filed Wednesday, aims to halt what these advocates describe as “harmful cuts to essential services.” The lawsuit argues that people with disabilities and older adults who rely on Social Security benefits deserve accessible services without unnecessary obstacles.

Social Security Changes Under Fire

The controversial Social Security changes to Social Security services include staff reductions, office closures, and new requirements forcing beneficiaries to seek in-person services. For people with mobility issues and disabilities, these modifications create substantial challenges in accessing their Social Security benefits, particularly when physical visits to offices become mandatory.

Justice in Aging and Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. They represent several disability advocacy organizations including:

• The National Federation of the Blind
• The American Association of People with Disabilities
• Deaf Equality

These organizations argue that the Social Security Administration’s service cuts disproportionately impact those who most depend on disability benefits and other Social Security programs. The lawsuit specifically challenges the reduction in accessibility options that many vulnerable citizens rely upon to navigate the Social Security system.

The case highlights growing concerns about how administrative changes to Social Security services affect older adults and people with disabilities who often face significant barriers when accessing essential government benefits.