Members of Congress met last week with representatives of AFGE Council 220, the union representing more than 25,000 front-line Social Security employees nationwide, to discuss workforce reductions at the Social Security Administration.
While the administration has stated it has no plans to close Social Security field offices, newly released workforce data indicates significant staffing losses affecting community-based services.
In Arkansas, there are 265 active Social Security field office employees statewide. That results in a ratio of one field office worker for every 2,989 beneficiaries, among the highest workloads in the nation.
Over the past year, the Social Security Administration has lost approximately 6,500 employees, reducing staffing to its lowest level in 59 years. A report from the Strategic Organizing Center shows that between March 2024 and August 2025, the agency lost 1,862 field office workers, a 9% nationwide decline. The report states there are currently 19,731 active field office workers serving beneficiaries across the country.
Jessica LaPointe, president of AFGE Council 220, said staffing reductions are contributing to longer wait times, delayed benefits and reduced access to services.
As Congress continues oversight of SSA operations, members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation and community leaders have raised concerns that without action to restore staffing levels and stabilize field office operations, rural and vulnerable communities could be disproportionately affected.
AFGE Council 220 represents 25,000 front-line Social Security workers in field operations through 34 affiliate locales representing employees in 1,200 field offices and 21 teleservice centers nationwide.