Frank Bisignano, the newly appointed leader of the Social Security Administration (SSA), is making the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) the cornerstone of his ambitious plans to overhaul the agency.
This is despite the recent exit of Elon Musk from the Trump administration, which had been a significant driving force behind the department.
Bisignano, in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, expressed his reliance on the DOGE team, stating, I look at them as a resource to help me. He further identified himself as fundamentally a DOGE person, signaling his commitment to the department's mission.
These remarks came in the wake of Musk's departure as a special government employee, but before the social media feud that erupted last week between Musk and President Donald Trump. Amidst this year's tumultuous changes, which saw DOGE-led initiatives leading to substantial job cuts and concerns over potential field office closures, Bisignano is determined to restore faith both within the agency and among the public.
Upon his inauguration on May 7, Bisignano outlined his vision to transform the SSA into a digital-first organization. This move aims to simplify routine tasks such as replacing a lost Social Security card, eliminating the need for direct interaction with a representative. However, he reassured that those who prefer human interaction would still have that option, allowing the agency to allocate more resources to complex issues, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
In March, the agency introduced a policy requiring phone applicants for retirement benefits to confirm their identities either online or in person, which sparked complaints. This policy was later reversed to permit full claims via phone.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Bisignano's new strategy includes shifting the majority of the approximately six million annual Social Security card replacement requests to digital platforms such as online portals and automated phone systems.
The acrimonious parting of ways between Trump and Musk has led to speculation about the future of DOGE and its personnel. However, White House representatives have confirmed that DOGE's efforts have been successful and will continue.
Despite this, former SSA staff report that many employees remain skeptical of DOGE, accusing its members of bypassing agency protocols to access sensitive data.
Bisignano countered these concerns, stating, I think we should get away from focusing on head count to focus on what our objective is, which is to do a great job for the public. He also assured that Americans' personal data is secure and that DOGE's efforts are solely aimed at enhancing the agency's technology.
In March, a lower court prohibited DOGE from accessing agency systems and ordered the deletion of collected personal data. Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander, an Obama-appointed judge, ruled that DOGE had not provided a clear justification for needing unlimited access to the records system.
However, the Supreme Court lifted the ban last Friday, allowing access to resume after the Trump administration requested in May that the justices pause a district court judges preliminary injunction blocking the SSA DOGE team from accessing certain records.
Bisignano revealed that he received the request from Trump to lead the SSA in December. He believes his private sector experience will enable him to transform the agency while adhering to the proposed $14.8 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. I am generally capable of doing more with less, he told the Wall Street Journal.
Bisignano, echoing President Trump's stance, has emphasized that he has no plans to reduce Social Security benefits, noting that any changes to benefit levels would fall under Congress's authority. Its ridiculous to suggest Id be doing anything other than trying to strengthen the program, he stated.
The SSA, which serves approximately 70 million Americans, currently employs about 52,000 workers, down from 57,000 earlier this year. In response to these staffing declines, Bisignano has initiated tours of call centers, processing facilities, and field offices to gain firsthand insight into daily operations and assess the workforce needed to effectively deliver services.
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