James McCaffrey was blindsided when found out his Social Security benefits were suspended. The 66-year old received no warning or explanation — just a bill.
“It said that I needed to pay $740 before the 25th of this month or I was going to lose my Medicare,” McCaffrey told Oklahoma KFOR.
The Oklahoma City retiree, who was born on a U.S. Army base in Germany, suspects that his birthplace may be the reason his benefits were terminated, after recent comments from Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk.
With nearly 69 million Americans expected to rely on Social Security benefits in 2025, McCaffrey’s experience highlights the growing uncertainty for retirees facing potential cuts.
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"They could be out of the house. They could be out of food.”
It all started when McCaffrey received a Medicare bill demanding payment. Medicare premiums are usually deducted from his Social Security check, so this was the first sign something was amiss.
After contacting Medicare, a representative hinted that his Social Security might have been suspended. McCaffrey immediately reached out to the Social Security Administration, and was shocked to discover his benefits had indeed been suspended.
McCaffrey received an email the following day indicating that his benefits would resume in April, but there was no mention of the March payment he had missed.
When he checked his bank account, McCaffrey saw that the March payment had been deposited, but the lack of explanation left him uneasy.
Changes in eligibility can impact Social Security benefits, like a change in work status, unreported income or a marital status change. But none of these applied to McCaffrey.
Earlier, Elon Musk, who heads up DOGE, suggested cuts to Social Security, referring to the program as a “Ponzi scheme.”
Musk also claimed, without evidence, that illegal immigrants are fraudulently collecting benefits, calling for their removal from the system, in addition to 150-year olds.
“[Federal entitlements] is also a mechanism by which Democrats attract and retain illegal immigrants, by essentially paying them,” Musk said during the March 10 interview on Fox Business. “If we turn off this gigantic money magnet for illegal immigrants, then they will leave.”
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McCaffrey remembered Musk’s comments and wondered if his foreign birthplace was the reason for his benefits being suspended, even though he is an American citizen and has a legal birth certificate. So far, McCaffrey has not received an official explanation from Social Security.
In the meantime, McCaffrey worries that others could be dealing with similar Social Security benefit cuts, "I’ve been a diligent Boy Scout type, I prepared," he said. "But, no, I shouldn’t have to," McCaffrey notes that losing Social Security benefits, even for a short time, could have serious consequences for those living paycheck to paycheck. "They could be out of the house. They could be out of food. I don’t know," McCaffrey says.
How to handle a cut in Social Security benefits
For McCaffrey, like many seniors, retirement was supposed to be a time to enjoy more family time and travel with his wife.
But instead, the uncertainty surrounding his benefits has put a damper on those plans. "I’d hate to have to turn around and say, ‘Well, I have to worry about my next check,’" he said.
Former Social Security administrator Martin O’Malley appeared on NBC News and warned that proposed DOGE cuts could impact Social Security benefits for millions of Americans. Here’s what you can do if your benefits get terminated.
The first thing to do if your benefits are cut is contact the Social Security Administration to find out the reason for the suspension and ask if there are actions you can take.
If you don’t agree with the decision, you can file an appeal. You have 60 days to file an appeal from the date you get your termination notice. You can also ask for a reconsideration.
You could also consider getting temporary financial assistance if your benefits are cut if you’re in immediate need.
Finally, if you need to, seek professional help to navigate the system.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
