The Social Security Administration (SSA) has begun shifting all its public communication to the platform X, owned by Elon Musk, following internal restructuring and staffing reductions.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has begun shifting all its public communication to the platform X, owned by Elon Musk, following internal restructuring and staffing reductions. Traditional forms of communication like press releases and “dear colleague” letters are being phased out. In a meeting with managers, SSA regional commissioner Linda Kerr-Davis confirmed that X will now serve as the agency’s primary channel for public updates.
This change coincides with workforce cuts across the agency. The SSA is reducing its staff from about 57,000 to 50,000 and restructuring from 10 regions to four. The agency described its current regional and headquarters structure as outdated and inefficient. In total, about 7,000 jobs have already been cut, with regional office staff—who handled IT, labor, policy, and communications—reduced from around 700 to fewer than 550. After further cuts, only about 70 employees are expected to remain in regional offices.
SSA employees have raised concerns about the effects of this shift. Government computers require special clearance to access social media, and most staff, including managers, are not on X. Some employees worry that the move could prevent the public, especially seniors who rely on physical communication, from receiving vital updates. “This will ensure that the public does not get the information they need,” one employee said. Another questioned whether the agency expected older citizens to adopt a new platform just to stay informed.
The letters being discontinued were not only used to notify the public about changes but also served as internal communication tools. They previously included updates on identity verification and corrections to Social Security death records. One letter clarified that fewer than 0.33% of reported deaths are incorrect, contradicting claims made by Musk.
The restructuring comes amid increased scrutiny from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an unofficial body led by Elon Musk. DOGE is tasked with identifying inefficient government operations and recommending spending and personnel cuts. Musk, with backing from the White House, accused the SSA of distributing billions in incorrect payments. The White House confirmed changes to SSA staffing but said they involved reallocating personnel rather than outright cuts.
DOGE has also moved into other agencies, including the SEC and the IRS. At the IRS, a 20% workforce cut—impacting nearly 6,800 employees—is being considered, with implementation set for mid-May. Musk has proposed putting the entire federal budget on blockchain to increase transparency and reduce waste.
SSA officials have acknowledged that the changes will disrupt internal operations and services. “Things are going to break, and they’re going to break fast,” Kerr-Davis told staff. “We are in different times now.”
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