A chorus of opposition led by New York Attorney General Letitia James decried plans by the Trump administration to close the White Plains Social Security hearing office and reduce services at the Poughkeepsie field office. In a letter to Acting Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudek, James warned that the closures would inflict significant harm on seniors, veterans, and disabled New Yorkers.

The planned closures have drawn sharp criticism from elected officials across the Hudson Valley.

Chair of the Ulster County Legislature Peter Criswell said the move would be “a devastating blow to Ulster County residents… Seniors, people with disabilities, and those in need of critical benefits should not be forced to travel long distances or face extended delays just to access the services they have paid into for a lifetime.”

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger called the plan “a heartless move affecting elderly adults, the disabled, wounded veterans, and surviving spouses and children whose wellbeing depends upon these benefits.”

“The closure of the White Plains SSA office by DOGE is yet another example of the recklessness of this administration and its billionaire enablers,” said Kingston Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha. “With last year’s closure of the Newburgh Social Security office and the limiting of services in Poughkeepsie, elderly and disabled individuals across the Hudson Valley are being forced to travel farther and farther distances, and endure longer delays for essential services. 2,000 cases are currently pending at the White Plains office, with individuals already waiting close to eight months for a hearing.”

U.S. Representative George Latimer echoed the concerns, pointing out that constituents would have to travel to Albany or New Haven for hearings. He called the lack of commitment to finding a new site “unacceptable.”

State Senator Michelle Hinchey called it an “unconscionable burden” on seniors and veterans, and suggested that the federal government was failing to do their job. She said she wants clarity from the Social Security Administration on their plans and a commitment to maintaining local facilities.

Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay of the 100^th district said travelling from her rural district to White Plains was already hard enough, and the “hardworking people of Sullivan and Orange Counties deserve better than this.”