Social Security Administration Reverses Decision to Cut Phone Services After Outcry

At the last minute, the Social Security Administration has announced it won’t be cutting phone services for seniors—a policy it had previously claimed would go into effect on Monday. Now, the agency has shifted its position, claiming it will “allow all claim types to be completed over the telephone.” “Telephone remains a viable option to the public,” the agency said in an email to Gizmodo, claiming that the “anti-fraud team implemented new technological capabilities” that made phone service possible again. When reached for comment by Gizmodo, White House spokesperson Liz Huston said the following: “President Trump has repeatedly promised to protect social security and uproot waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government. The Social Security anti-fraud team has worked around the clock in person to improve technological capabilities and they are now able to identify fraud on claims filed over the telephone. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Social Security Administration i ... Read full article.