What the closure of Social Security offices means for Texans

The Trump administration, led by Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is pushing a major shift that could affect how you access Social Security services. The goal is to shrink the size of the government by closing many physical office locations across the country.

• Social Security head steps down over DOGE access of recipient information: AP sources

While this move aims to make the government more efficient, it could have a significant impact on people who rely on in-person services.

The closure of SSA offices nationwide

The Trump administration is making big cuts to the number of federal office spaces, and the Social Security Administration is not exempt.

As part of this broader effort, DOGE has published a list of nearly 800 federal real estate leases that are being canceled, including many SSA offices. In Texas alone, the following offices will close soon:

• 1122 N. University Drive, Nacogdoches: May 7
• 8208 NE Zac Lentz Parkway, Victoria: May 25

Local Social Security offices in Houston

If you’re in the Houston area, you still have several SSA offices to visit. These include:

• 8989 Lakes at 610 Dr (Open 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
• 13302 Westheimer Rd (Open 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
• 16200 Dillard Dr (Open 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
• 9700 Richmond Ave. #200 (Office of Hearings Operations, Open 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
• 5414 Aldine Mail Route Rd (Open 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
• Card Center – Social Security Administration (Open 8:00 AM - 4:10 PM)

How to navigate the website?

With the closing of physical offices, more people may start relying on the SSA website to access services. This means you’ll likely need to get comfortable navigating the website for tasks like:

• Checking your Social Security statement
• Tracking your earnings
• Changing personal details
• Setting up or changing your direct deposit

You may even need to confirm your identity online as Trump has made his intention clear to crack down on Social Security fraud.

• Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients

This shift might make things more convenient for some people, but it could also present challenges for others who prefer face-to-face interactions. For those who are less familiar with the internet, the move to an online-focused system might require some adjustment.

Looking ahead

In Houston, you still have in-person options for now, but if you’re affected by the closures, it might be time to explore what the SSA offers online. The move to shrink the government and reduce the number of physical office spaces is here, and the future of Social Security will likely depend more and more on digital tools.

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