skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Texas plan to redraw maps could protect GOP House majority; NYers protest federal budget bill's cuts, policy changes; Ohio Freedom Schools mobilize youth to speak out for public education; MSU studies fire-resistant structures, amid house fires uptick.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Emil Bove's nomination advances in the Senate. The DOJ requests state voter data. And ICE plans to expand Colorado detention facilities.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

America's 'news deserts' could get worse with massive funding cuts to public broadcasting, federal cuts to AmeriCorps will eliminate volunteers in rural Oregon, and a 140-year-old South Dakota church thrives by welcoming all.

You won't be able to apply by phone for SSA starting next week

play audio
Play

Wednesday, April 9, 2025   

In less than a week, many Wisconsinites will be unable to apply for Social Security benefits over the phone, which could lead to potential disruptions and challenges for millions as the nationwide change takes effect.

Starting April 14, seniors applying for retirement benefits or making direct deposit changes must do so online or in-person at a Social Security Administration office as part of a new identity verification process. The change comes in haste from the White House amid massive federal budget cuts which have already trimmed staff and resources at the agency.

Jim Flaherty, communications director for AARP Wisconsin, said calls to AARP's national call center have more than doubled in the last two months.

"They're concerned, and they're confused," Flaherty observed. "It is up to our President and our Congress to work in a bipartisan manner; this is not a partisan issue. They need to work together to make sure that this program remains strong and solvent for current and future generations."

People can qualify for Social Security benefits through retirement, disability or as a family member of someone who is eligible. More than 1.3 million Wisconsinites receive Social Security benefits. For now, those applying for disability, SSI and Medicare can continue to do so by phone.

There is also confusion about Social Security Administration office closures, which the agency said have been falsely reported but cuts to resources and services disproportionately affect rural and tribal communities. About one in five Wisconsinites would have to drive at least 46 miles from their home to the nearest Social Security office, while nearly half would have to drive at least 23 miles, according to the Urban Institute.

Flaherty emphasized for some, it is more than an inconvenience.

"For a lot of folks, Social Security makes up the majority of their retirement income," Flaherty pointed out. "Cuts to the program and services could be devastating for them. These are folks who are struggling to just to pay their rent or mortgage and put food on the table."

While the Trump Administration has said it will protect Social Security and changes are meant to address fraud and increase efficiency, Flaherty added people are understandably anxious about what could happen next.

"This is a very tough and serious situation that we want folks to be aware of," Flaherty stressed. "This is the time to call your members of Congress and say, 'Hey, you've got to do something before this April 14th deadline to extend this,' because it would be devastating for so many folks."

Disclosure: AARP Wisconsin contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Consumer Issues, Health Issues, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Fentanyl test strips can detect the synthetic opioid in 30 seconds to two minutes when submerged in water. (Mary Fecteau/Ideastream Public Media)

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…


Social Issues

play sound

New documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit showed how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to expand immigrant …

Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday is a National Day of Protest in response to the Trump administration's recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cuts funding …


Statistics show only about 46% of people who experience cardiac arrest get CPR from people nearby. A new, mobile hands-only kiosk can teach basic CPR skills in just a few minutes. (Kristine Mosqueda Kelly)

Health and Wellness

play sound

If you have an extra five minutes, you can save a life because you can learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation at no cost from a new mobile, hands-only …

Social Issues

play sound

Americans have approximately 631 million credit card accounts, with nearly four cards per person. The accounts can be a payday for con artists who …

California's Proposition 12 requires producers to give laying hens one square foot of space each, and breeding sows 24 square feet each. (Krustovin/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Pork producers are expected to argue against California's animal welfare laws at a hearing Wednesday before the House Committee on Agriculture…

Environment

play sound

On Tuesday, 20 Colorado officials sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation protesting six cuts to public lands management in the new tax …

Social Issues

play sound

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021