Rep. Latimer’s Statement on Closure of White Plains Social Security Hearing Office

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Today U.S. Representative George Latimer (NY-16) released the following statement as the Social Security Administration closes the White Plains Hearing Office:

“Like many in Westchester County, I am incredibly frustrated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s decision to close this office in White Plains. I have sent three letters to different Commissioners explaining how detrimental this will be for our area. But it is now clear that they do not care about cutting services or the harm this will create for people.

If the SSA was interested in saving money, they would have taken the County up on their offer for a much less expensive space. If they were interested in finding actual fraud, waste and abuse, they would have undergone an audit, like major corporations do. But that is not what this is. This isn’t about saving money or finding fraud and waste. This amounts to a cut in benefits for people who are disabled or elderly who will have to travel much farther distances, at greater expense, to fight for their benefits. Arbitrarily closing offices with no understanding of how it will affect constituents is unconscionable.

I will continue to look for ways to change course. I am willing to work with anyone to keep these services in White Plains.”