North Liberty, Iowa — During the weekly senior lunch gathering in North Liberty, Iowa, chicken was featured on the menu, but the spotlight was on Social Security.
Iowa, mirroring trends across the U.S., is experiencing an aging population. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, one in four residents is aged 60 or older. This uncertainty coming from Washington is creating anxiety at home.
Anne Bacon shared with CBS News that the situation gives her “daymares.”
Bacon depends on the $1,600 monthly Social Security payment to fund the 24-hour care for her brother, Rick Clark, who suffers from dementia.
“Every day I’m fearful that somehow he’ll lose his care,” Bacon expressed.
When her Social Security check didn’t arrive in January, Bacon contacted the agency and found herself on hold for over six hours during two separate calls. Once she finally reached a representative, the issue was swiftly resolved.
The average wait time for Social Security inquiries has surged to 104 minutes, double what it was six months ago.
John Hale, a former Social Security employee of 25 years, along with his wife Terri, now advocates for older and disabled Iowans through the Hale Group.
“It’s about retirement benefits,” Hale remarked. “It’s about survivors’ benefits, and about payments to individuals with disabilities.”
President Trump has asserted that he will not alter Social Security, which serves over 70 million Americans. However, he is making cuts to jobs within the agency. Last month, the agency announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 7,000 employees, representing about 12% of its staff.
The agency has also experienced a wave of changes. Earlier this month, the Social Security Administration revealed that it would mandate in-person identity verification for both new and existing beneficiaries, with some limited exceptions. Following public backlash, it announced a delay in the implementation of this policy until April 14.
Additionally, the SSA disclosed that recipients would no longer be able to update their direct deposit and other banking details over the phone, citing fraud concerns. Instead, they must utilize the SSA’s online platform or visit a local office.
This comes as Frank Bisignano, President Trump’s nominee to lead the SSA, faced scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing regarding the potential influence of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which is managed by billionaire Elon Musk.
“One of the things that troubles us, and many others, is that a group of billionaires are making decisions about this service without any need for Social Security themselves,” Terri Hale stated. “They are disconnected from the realities that many families face.”
