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MANSFIELD — The Social Security Administration is not closing the Mansfield Trimble Road field office.
“Recent reports in the media that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is permanently closing local field offices are false,” said a press release sent to Richland Source on March 27.
“Since Jan. 1, 2025, the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office.”
However, rented space on the fifth floor of the Mansfield Municipal Building at 30 N. Diamond St. is closed.
“SSA is committed to providing service where people need help and our local field offices are no exception. We have not permanently closed any local field offices this year.”
Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security
Mayor Jodie Perry said the Social Security Administration started leasing space in 2017 with an annual rent of approximately $13,750.
The office is 1,047 square feet. The Social Security Administration used the office for benefit hearings, most of which were remote or over the phone according to documents provided by the SSA public affairs office.
“I think it was only used a couple times a month,” Perry said. “With COVID, I know a lot of things went remote and they decided it wasn’t worth continuing the lease.”
Municipal building Social Security office identified as ‘underutilized office space’
The March 27 press release said the SSA identified “underutilized office space to ensure the government is spending taxpayer money as prudently as possible” for the General Services Administration.
“Most of these are small hearing rooms with no assigned employees,” the press release said. “Since most hearings are held virtually, SSA no longer needs these underutilized rooms.
“SSA works closely with local congressional delegations before closing any office permanently. The agency also reassigns employees from an affected office to other locations to help communities access in-person services.”
A Kiplinger.com story lists the satellite Mansfield office at an estimated $27,557 in savings. The complete list of Department of Government Efficiency-suggested closures and consolidations makes up a proposed $800 million in savings estimates.
Most of the offices proposed for lease terminations are co-located in other buildings, not public-facing or preplanned closings.
“SSA is committed to providing service where people need help and our local field offices are no exception,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We have not permanently closed any local field offices this year.”
The Social Security Administration field office at 1287 Lexbrook Trail will remain open. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Social Security Administration encourages anyone needing assistance to call the office at 800-491-1882 or use a my Social Security account to apply for a replacement card, benefits, update your direct deposit information or download tax information.