Michigan launches reporting form to collect data on Social Security benefit delays and service breakdowns amid federal workforce cuts.

Social Security Disruptions Spur Michigan to Take Action

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has unveiled a new tool aimed at giving residents a voice amid growing frustration over Social Security service disruptions. The online reporting form, announced April 11, allows residents to share firsthand experiences with missed payments, processing delays, and other breakdowns in service following recent mass layoffs within the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The move comes in response to a wave of complaints across Michigan and nationwide, with residents reporting long call center wait times, difficulty resolving benefit issues, and in some cases, complete halts in benefit distribution.

“Social Security supports millions of people across our state,” Nessel said. “Reports of disruptions to these benefits, directly caused by the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to fire employees with no regard for the consequences, are unacceptable.”

The form, accessible through the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s website, is designed to collect detailed accounts of these issues and identify patterns. While the state cannot resolve federal claims directly, Nessel’s office plans to use the data to advocate on behalf of affected Michiganders — and potentially support future legal or policy action.

Trump Administration Cuts Linked to Widespread Service Issues

The reported problems stem from staffing reductions at the Social Security Administration earlier this year. According to multiple news outlets and watchdog groups, over 4,000 SSA employees were let go following a budget directive under the Trump Administration — a move experts warned would lead to widespread administrative slowdowns.

In Michigan, where more than 2.3 million residents receive some form of Social Security benefits — including retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits — the impact is already being felt.

In a recent Bloomberg Law report, Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, noted that SSA staffing is at its lowest level in over 25 years, even as the number of beneficiaries continues to rise. “There’s no way to provide timely, high-quality service when you gut the workforce that delivers it,” Romig said.

Source: Romig, Kathleen. “SSA Staffing Crisis Worsens Amid Budget Cuts.” Bloomberg Law, March 20, 2025.

Michigan Residents Urged to Speak Out and Report Issues

The new form from the Attorney General’s office is not a claims resolution tool, but it may help illuminate how deep and widespread these service disruptions are in Michigan. AG Nessel’s office clarified that it cannot intervene in individual claims, but that collected data may support broader advocacy or legal strategies.

Michiganders experiencing issues are encouraged to:

Use the online form to report their experience (available on the AG’s official site).
Contact their U.S. Representative or Senator for case-specific assistance.
Be aware that personal data submitted will not be shared without consent.

Advocacy groups in Michigan have expressed concern that rural residents, low-income seniors, and people with disabilities may be disproportionately affected, especially those without reliable internet or access to congressional offices.

Federal Inaction Spurs States Like Michigan to Respond

While responsibility for Social Security lies squarely with the federal government, state leaders like Nessel are stepping in to fill a gap left by shrinking federal capacity. Critics argue that the SSA’s staffing cuts are part of a larger trend of federal divestment from public-facing agencies — one that places added burden on states already managing limited resources.

The Attorney General’s initiative represents one of the first state-led efforts to track and respond to the SSA service breakdowns.

“This isn’t a partisan issue,” said Romig. “These are benefits people have earned. When they don’t show up, it’s a crisis.”

Works Cited

Michigan Department of Attorney General. “AG Nessel Launches Form for Reporting Social Security Disruptions.” Press Release, 11 Apr. 2025. Michigan.gov, https://www.michigan.gov/ag.

Romig, Kathleen. “SSA Staffing Crisis Worsens Amid Budget Cuts.” Bloomberg Law, 20 Mar. 2025, https://www.bloomberglaw.com.

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