Social Security changes bring challenges for many in S.C.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Social Security istration is enacting several changes by the end of the month, as the Trump istration says they are aimed at reducing fraud.

Advocates for older adults said it’s causing more hurdles for the older population.

A new rule has to do with the verification process, which requires people to online or go to an office in person rather than call. That’s one of many quick changes that are causing challenges.

Goose Creek resident Tamika Moorer said she was hung up on after waiting two hours on the phone to talk with someone from the Social Security istration.

She said that was the start of a frustrating and time-consuming interaction with the Social Security istration. When she finally got on the phone with the national office they directed her to a local appointment.

On the day of the appointment, and after more than an hour at the local office, she was met with more frustrating news. The staff there couldn’t help her with what she needed.

“Why was I sent here? She said ‘I have no idea,’” Moorer said.

She wasn’t the only one left with more questions than answers after her visit.

Charmaine Fuller Cooper, South Carolina State Director of AARP, said she was waiting at a social security office when she overheard a situation an 84-year-old woman who had just lost her husband, was waiting for her appointment and didn’t hear staff call for her so she was instructed to get back in line.

“It was going to be another two-hour wait and all she would be able to do is schedule another appointment and have to come back. This was a person who no longer drove and had a caregiver waiting outside. When she called the caregiver to let him know what was going on, you could hear him very much frustrated by the fact he had already been outside waiting two hours and she still hadn’t been seen. He was going to have to take time off work again to come back and all of a sudden I heard the phone quickly disconnect, so it was just heartbreaking,” Cooper said.

Advocates for older adults mention many hurdles from the change that no longer allows phone call identification but does offer a website.

“An elderly person may not have the time, or the knowhow, or the sight to be on screens that long to be able to navigate, it’s just terrible,” Moorer said.

The other option is going in person, but for many with mobility concerns or who live in a rural area that may not be an option. Representative James Clyburn says the reduction in staff isn’t helping. The agency is trying to reduce its workforce by 12%.

“I’m hearing a lot of concern. I think people are becoming aware of what we were trying to get folks to understand in the last election, that President Trump and his associates are anti-social security.” Clyburn said.

President Trump and his istration say the changes are to help with cybersecurity. Cooper said that’s opening the door to other threats.

“Scammers might start to take advantage of all the sudden changes that we are starting to see,” Cooper said.

Moorer eventually got what she needed through the website, but she didn’t want to just let the experience go.

“I couldn’t imagine this was my grandmother, I would be so outraged that my grandmother was treated this way,” Moorer said.

Cooper said people shouldn’t have to go through these challenges for their own money.

They’ve paid into the social security system for a lifetime. It’s not an entitlement, it’s a program that they have worked hard and they’ve paid into and they want their promises guaranteed and to be fulfilled,” Cooper said.

Starting Saturday, March 29, another rule will prohibit beneficiaries from changing their bank information by phone.

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