Amid concerns about the stability of Social Security, Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a coalition of 20 states to support an injunction against the recent changes made by the Social Security Administration (SSA). According to a press release on Arizona Attorney General's website, the group aims to halt what they describe as "erratic and unlawful" management under acting administrator Leland Dudek and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Mayes, along with his counterparts from a variety of states, supports the plaintiffs of the American Association of People with Disabilities in their suit against Dudek. Their brief points to significant disruption within the SSA, reporting an array of technical glitches, service issues, and concerns over the agency's ability to continue its function. "We have received nearly 300 complaints from Arizonans reporting webservice disruptions, phone service issues, and account access problems and even delays or disruptions in receiving expected payments," Mayes was quoted in the press release. This turmoil comes at a time when over 1.5 million Arizonans rely on Social Security for their livelihood.
Claims of mismanagement have been further fuelled by allegations from high-profile figures. Elon Musk, branding the SSA a "Ponzi scheme", has inaccurately asserted the agency wrongly distributes $100 billion annually. Similarly, former President Trump has made unfounded claims about beneficiaries' longevity, neither of which hold up under scrutiny from the SSA's Inspector General's Office. Their findings show that less than one percent of the benefits issued between 2015 and 2022 were improper, primarily due to errors or delays, as reported by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
The recent cutbacks are raising concerns, particularly for those who rely on SSA support for essential needs. By the end of 2024, nearly nine out of ten individuals aged 65 and older were expected to be SSA beneficiaries. For many in this group, these payments are crucial for maintaining a dignified life, covering expenses like food, housing, and healthcare. The plaintiffs argue that staffing reductions and reorganizations have not only caused delays in benefits but also limited the SSA's ability to serve beneficiaries with disabilities, potentially violating laws such as Section 504(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The legal challenge is a collaborative effort, with Attorney General Mayes joined by the attorneys general of states such as California, New York, and Michigan in supporting the amicus brief. This united stance highlights a common concern: that attempts at reform are undermining the core purpose of Social Security as a safety net for society’s most vulnerable. The brief is publicly accessible, with a link provided by the Arizona Attorney General’s office.
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