By Forum Staff
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) recently held a listening session in Elmhurst that focused on cuts to Social Security and the devastating impacts they would have on many borough residents.
Taking part in the event were several Queens organizations and area residents that stand to be negatively affected by President Donald Trump’s self-professed budget axe. With the President and Congressional Republicans slashing key federal programs, many in Queens – and throughout New York – worry about cuts to the Social Security program. Senior constituents are also concerned about receiving their Social Security benefits, specifically questioning the Social Security Administration’s ability to deliver payments in light of cuts to the SSA workforce and the closing of Social Security offices.
Meng noted that many Social Security beneficiaries rely on their Social Security payments for crucial living expenses such as putting food on the table, paying their rent, heating their homes, covering medical expenses and other critical necessities.
Organizations and individuals that participated in last week’s event at Elmhurst – J.H. Senior Center include:
- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) which represents Social Security Administration workers and other federal government employees.
- Legal Services NYC which provides legal services for low-income New Yorkers.
- Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York which provides advocacy, education and a variety of services for people with disabilities.
- Queens Community House which provides services and programs for children, young adults, families and older adults.
- Elmhurst – J.H. Senior Center which provides services to local seniors.
- Frank Taylor, former chairman of Community Board 3 which encompasses Jackson Heights, North Corona and East Elmhurst.
- Tamaine Hamilton, a constituent from Forest Hills who depends on Social Security and recently received $35,331 in back benefits with Meng’s assistance.
In Queens, approximately 366,000 people receive Social Security benefits which consists of monthly payments to retirees, children, seniors, widows, spouses and disabled workers. This includes more than 126,000 recipients in Meng’s congressional district. Throughout New York, there are some 3.8 million Social Security beneficiaries and over 70 million across the United States.
“Social Security is a financial lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people in Queens, and millions throughout New York,” said Meng. “Any cuts to the program or interruption in recipients receiving the benefits they earned and deserve would be devastating, and totally unacceptable. Social Security is not the government’s money. It is the people’s money, and fighting to protect this vital program will always be a top priority of mine. I stand with everybody in Queens and across New York who depend on their Social Security benefits. We cannot overstate the importance of Social Security to Queens residents and the dire consequences of making it harder for beneficiaries to access their earned benefits.”
Social Security was created in 1935 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The program is primarily funded through payroll taxes and ensures income for retirees, disabled individuals and survivors including children and families.
