1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

We the People have paid into Social Security our entire working lives - for example, I have contributed for 27 years. This is not an entitlement, but rather a system we fund through our paychecks. As a licensed clinical social worker, I have many clients who rely solely on their Social Security benefits to survive. Cutting the Social Security Administration's workforce or closing offices would leave millions of vulnerable seniors and individuals with disabilities without a lifeline, potentially rendering them homeless. Congress must protect the full functioning of the SSA to ensure over 72 million Americans continue receiving their hard-earned benefits without disruption. Any budget that fails to restore the SSA's capacity and reopen closed offices jeopardizes a vital safety net that our society depends on.