Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is part of a group of 21 attorneys general opposing the Trump Administration's plan to reduce staff at the Social Security Administration (SSA). The coalition has filed an amicus brief in the case AAPD, et al. v. Dudek, et al., arguing that reducing the SSA workforce will make it more difficult for elderly and disabled individuals to access essential benefits.

Nessel stated, “The Trump Administration’s unconstitutional and chaotic attempts to gut the Social Security Administration are dangerous and harm the millions of Michigan residents who depend on these benefits to get by. These cuts will cause longer delays, more confusion, and added strain on some of our most vulnerable residents. The federal government should not be able to move forward without a clear, strategic plan to ensure recipients continue receiving the benefits they not only need but are entitled to.”

The wait time for disability applications averaged eight months in 2024. Despite this, the administration plans further cuts without a clear strategy, causing website outages, service disruptions, and the closure of field offices.

The coalition argued that these actions amount to unlawful de facto benefit reductions, impacting the states and residents relying on the SSA for their services. According to the coalition, the staffing reductions violate the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the U.S. Constitution. They support a preliminary injunction to halt the reductions until a plan prevents disruptions.

Amid rising concerns in Michigan, Attorney General Nessel launched a reporting form for residents experiencing disruptions to their Social Security benefits. Since its launch, over 100 residents reported issues like delayed payments and difficulties contacting SSA staff.

Alongside Nessel, attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have joined the brief.