Social Security Explains Payment Interruptions for Beneficiaries and DOGE’s Unexpected Role

People in Alabama who depend on Social Security benefits can be sure that the office will still be dedicated to openness and efficiency under the new leadership. Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Lee Dudek released a statement on February 19, 2025, reaffirming the agency’s purpose and addressing concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was created by the current administration.

Promise to Beneficiaries

Dudek made it clear that he was committed to making sure that Social Security continued to help Americans in the best way possible. His main goal is to keep benefit payouts correct and on time while also making the government run more smoothly. He also said how much he admired the SSA workers who work so hard to help millions of people.

Making the Role of DOGE Clear

Dudek made it clear that the DOGE employees who now work at SSA are not allowed to change how benefits are paid or how the agency’s processes work. They only have read-only access, which means they can look at records but not change them. He also made it clear that DOGE employees do not have access to private legal information like temporary blocking orders issued by the court.

Also, any DOGE employees caught breaking the law will be sent to the Department of Justice to be possibly prosecuted. This makes sure that everyone is responsible for their work.

Talking about reports about how much Social Security pays to older people

Recent news stories have made people worried about people over 100 who are supposedly getting Social Security payments. Dudek made it clear that these stories are based on SSA records that have a Social Security number but no date of death. This doesn’t always mean that these people are actually getting benefits.

What This Means for People in Alabama

For people in Alabama who rely on Social Security, this statement shows that the agency is committed to protecting benefits and making sure that the system is run fairly. People who get Social Security benefits can be sure that their money will be safe because the Social Security Administration is working hard to stop fraud, waste, and abuse.