Rep. Mike Levin & Seniors Demand No Cuts to Social Security & Halt Looming Closures of Field Offices
Watch full press conference here
Oceanside, CA—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) and seniors demanded that the Trump Administration and DOGE make no cuts to Social Security benefits and halt looming closures of Social Security field offices across the country. Elon Musk’s DOGE delivered an order to slash Social Security Administration (SSA) staff in half and prepare to close offices in its pursuit of federal workforce reduction.
These layoffs and closures would result in delay, disruption, and denial of benefits for 70 million Americans across the country who rely on Social Security to make ends meet. There are more than 137,000 Social Security recipients in the 49th Congressional district, including 112,968 retirees, 7,108 disabled workers, and 4,631 children.
“I’m calling on the Social Security Administration and DOGE to publicly commit to keeping every one of the Social Security field offices in our region open. San Diego’s seniors, veterans, and working families deserve nothing less,” said Rep. Levin. “My message to Elon Musk and DOGE is simple: Hands off Social Security!”
Earlier this week, DOGE’s website listed a Carlsbad Social Security Office as closing soon or closed although there is no public-facing Carlsbad office – there is only one in Oceanside. Rep. Levin’s office immediately reached out to the SSA to get clarity about the situation. SSA did not provide a concrete response or any certainty about the safety and future of the Oceanside office or its staff.
Rep. Levin’s office confirmed that there is indeed a non-public facing “Area Director’s Office” in Carlsbad, something that the SSA never communicated before or made public. That office oversees the eight Social Security offices serving all of San Diego County and is now slated for closure.
“Every single one of these offices is critical to the people who rely on them. We cannot afford to lose a single one. When an office closes it means worse service, longer lines, and residents lose access to the help they need,” said Rep. Levin.
The looming layoffs at the SSA and potential office closures are a backdoor way for the Trump Administration and Musk to cut American’s benefits. Rep. Levin is fighting these potential cuts through legislation, on the House Appropriations Committee, and by supporting litigation against President Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional actions.
##