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White Plains Social Security Office Closure Draws Local and Political Backlash

The decision to shut down the only SSA office in New York's Lower Hudson Valley has sparked criticism over its impact on residents and conflicting political stances.

Social Security Administration office in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 11, 2023.
Representative Mike Lawler is seen leaving following a meeting of the House Republican Conference on March 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The White Plains SSA office, serving thousands in the Lower Hudson Valley, is set to close on May 31, 2025, due to mold issues and high lease costs.
  • The closure is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to cut federal spending by shutting down 47 SSA offices nationwide.
  • Local leaders, including Rep. Mike Lawler, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Attorney General Letitia James, have opposed the decision, citing severe impacts on vulnerable populations reliant on in-person services.
  • Rep. Lawler, who previously supported DOGE initiatives, has publicly criticized the closure, calling it a 'slap in the face' to constituents who now face long travel distances for essential services.
  • Newly implemented SSA security protocols requiring in-person visits further complicate access for affected residents, exacerbating the challenges posed by the office's closure.