Luján: Attacks on Social Security Will Endanger Monthly Checks for Over Half a Million New Mexicans

Social Security Services Are Deteriorating for New Mexicans Who Rely On Monthly Checks To Get By

Websites Crashing, Long Wait Times, And Firing 7,000+ SSA Workers Who Help Seniors, People with Disabilities, and Families Get Their Benefits

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) sounded the alarm on ongoing attacks on Social Security from Elon Musk and President Trump that will endanger monthly Social Security checks for over 500,000 New Mexico seniors, people with disabilities, and families who rely on their monthly checks to live, pay rent, buy food and make ends meet.

This comes amid reports of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) core operations breaking down because of systematic attacks from the Trump administration and DOGE. In the past month, the SSA website has already crashed four times in 10 days, blocking millions from accessing their accounts, and forcing seniors to wait more than two hours on jammed phone lines. 

“In every corner of our state, Social Security is vital to the livelihoods of thousands of New Mexicans,” said Senator Luján. “Right now, Elon Musk and President Trump are taking an axe to New Mexicans’ Social Security benefits by firing staff, closing field offices, and making it harder for seniors to access their benefits. Social Security is not a Ponzi scheme – it is a lifeline that thousands of New Mexicans rely on to get by. I have always fought to protect New Mexicans’ Social Security, and I will always continue to do so.”

A county-by-county breakdown of Social Security beneficiaries across New Mexico can be found here for SSI and Old Age, Survivors, and Disability benefits.

Read a report from Senate Democrats on how President Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE are trying to cut Social Security here.

This week, Senator Luján pressed the nominee for Commissioner of the Social Security Administration on attacks to Social Security. Watch Senator Luján’s questions for the nominee here.

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