Michaela
The U.S. Social Security Administration announced a shift in its communication strategy, revealing it will now exclusively use X (formerly Twitter) to engage with the public and media, following significant staff reductions.
In a recent meeting with managers, SSA regional commissioner Linda Kerr-Davis confirmed that the agency will no longer issue press releases or “dear colleague” letters to update the media and the public about changes to programs and services, as reported by Wired.
“Instead, the agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public … so this will become our communication mechanism,” Kerr-Davis stated.
The agency had traditionally relied on “dear colleague” letters to communicate with advocacy groups and third-party organizations that assist individuals in accessing benefits. These letters often included updates on topics ranging from new identity verification protocols to improvements in the agency’s death record accuracy.
SSA employees have long relied on press releases and “dear colleague” letters to stay informed about internal developments. With those tools now discontinued, some staff may struggle to keep up with agency updates—especially given that government security protocols require a special request to access social media on work computers. The shift to social-only communication could make it harder for employees to remain informed and effectively carry out their responsibilities.
The move to social media-only updates may also create barriers for benefit recipients who depend on traditional communications to stay informed about accessing services. Wired that one employee questioned whether the agency realistically expected senior citizens to start using the platform to keep up with critical updates. Another employee remarked that the shift effectively limits public access to important updates, making it harder for people to stay informed about changes.
White House spokesperson Liz Huston pushed back against the report, describing it as misleading. The Social Security Administration is actively communicating with beneficiaries and stakeholders,” Huston stated. “There has not been a reduction in workforce. Rather, to improve the delivery of services, staff are being reassigned from regional offices to front-line help – allocating finite resources where they are most needed. President Trump will continue to always protect Social Security,” she added.
Wired reports that the Social Security Administration’s regional offices are facing a drastic reduction in staff, with sources indicating cuts of up to 87 percent. These offices oversee a wide range of responsibilities, including IT support, policy oversight, labor relations, accessibility accommodations, and communications. Since February, the agency has already eliminated approximately 7,000 positions, according to The Washington Post.
Kerr-Davis noted that the agency’s ongoing restructuring may weaken its capacity to tackle fraud—an area emphasized by Elon Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
