Acting Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudek issued a statement reassuring Americans that DOGE will not disrupt the Social Security Administration’s operations, following concerns raised in recent weeks.
“Our continuing priority is paying beneficiaries the right amount at the right time, and providing other critical services people rely on from us.” Dudek also requested that the Office of Inspector General conduct an investigation.
President Trump tasked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with detecting fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as modernizing federal technology and software to “maximize governmental efficiency and productivity,” and it is currently investigating the operations of the Social Security Administration.
This is what Dudek said in his letter: “Good government means finding ways to do better: The Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, is a critical part of President Trump’s commitment to identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, and better ways for the government to function to support its people.”
He acknowledged the public’s concerns and issued a statement to reassure them that their information is secure and that expected payments will arrive in full and on time.
In January 2025, slightly more than 73 million people received Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both.
That number includes 54.5 million retirees, who receive an average monthly Social Security check of $1,929.20. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 37.3% of older adults would live in poverty if they did not receive Social Security benefits.
Transparency and oversight
Lee Dudek joined the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2009 as an anti-fraud expert and led the agency’s fraud investigation office. He took over as Acting Commissioner after Michelle King, the agency’s acting chief, resigned after refusing to grant DOGE access to the SSA’s Enterprise Data Warehouse, which contains sensitive personal information.
Dudek has promised to be transparent as DOGE goes about its business. According to his statement, he contacted the Office of the Inspector General “to provide them with an opportunity to oversee and review any and all agency activities, including my actions past, present, and future.”
Limits on DOGE
Acting Commissioner Dudack emphasized that DOGE has limited access to information and the ability to alter any records, and that they are held to the same standards as other government and SSA employees.
According to Dudack’s statement, the following are the boundaries of DOGE’s access and abilities (emphasis added):
- DOGE personnel CANNOT make changes to agency systems, benefit payments, or other information. They only have READ access
- DOGE personnel do not have access to data related to a court ordered temporary restraining order, current or future
- DOGE personnel must follow the law and if they violate the law they will be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution
