White Plains Social Security Office to Close May 31, 2025

It’s confirmed: the Social Security office in White Plains is closing. Upon learning about the department’s plans to close the local office, County Executive Ken Jenkins and Congressman George Latimer offered to provide the department with available space so that the office could remain open and accessible to Westchester residents.

On March 5 George Latimer said, “The expected closure of the Social Security Administration’s White Plains hearing office will mean seniors and people with disabilities will have to drive long distances – as far away as New Haven and Albany — at greater expense, to fight for their rights. But that does not have to happen,” said Rep. Latimer. “I am very glad to work with my friend and former colleague County Executive Ken Jenkins to offer County space to keep these important services in White Plains. I will work with officials at all levels of government to try to make this a reality.”

Ken Jenkins said, “Our priority is ensuring that Westchester County maintains access to essential services. We are committed to supporting seniors, individuals with disabilities and many others by finding solutions that keep Social Security resources available in White Plains. I’m grateful to Congressman Latimer for collaborating with me and Westchester County to turn this request and proposed solution into a reality.”

However, the Social Security Commissioner turned down the offer. On March 19 the Acting Commissioner of Social Security sent a letter to Latimer advising him that the White Plains office will close on May 31, 2025. He suggested residents drive to places as far away as Goshen, NY and New Haven, CT to resolve any issues with social security.

County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “This is a disgraceful decision that prioritizes bureaucratic indifference over the well-being of Westchester residents. The Trump administration is effectively cutting off access to Social Security resources for those who need them most. Westchester County will not stand by while Washington abandons our communities. I will continue fighting alongside Congressman Latimer and Congressman Lawler to ensure our residents are not left behind.”

At the same time, the agency issued a new edict requiring identity checks for any changes to benefits. As of March 31, 2025, “People who want to file for benefits or change the bank where their payments were deposited will no longer do so by phone and must first verify their identity online or go into a field office.”

So though the administration pledged to leave Social Security in place, Westchester residents are already seeing a diminution of the program.

Here is the letter from the Social Security Administration to Congressman George Latimer dated March 19, 2025.

The Honorable George Latimer U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Latimer:

Thank you for your March 4, 2025 letter regarding the decision to close our White Plains, NY Hearing Office on May 31, 2025. I am committed to maintaining service options for our claimants in the White Plains area.

Please note that we have been evaluating options for the White Plains Hearing Office for some time. The office has had long-term issues with mold over the past five to six years, which the General Services Administration (GSA) has been unable to resolve. GSA has advised us that, as of May 31, 2025, we will no longer have a lease in the current office space due to the landlord’s decision not to renew it.

We will continue to provide the option of an in-person hearing for our claimants in the White Plains area, including at the following locations:

• Bronx Hearing Office (220 East 161st Street; Bronx, NY 10451)
• New Haven Hearing Office (157 Church Street; New Haven, CT 06510)
• New York Hearing Office (26 Federal Plaza; New York, NY 10278)
• New York Varick Hearing Office (201 Varick Street; New York, NY 10014)
• Goshen Permanent Remote Site (3 Coates Drive; Goshen, NY 10924)

We also will continue to provide the option of a virtual hearing by audio (telephone) and online video, which is selected by over 83 percent of our claimants who receive service from the White Plains Hearing Office. Because the vast majority of our claimants will not be affected by the office closure, we are not exploring an alternate location.

I hope you find this information helpful. If you wish to discuss this issue in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me, or have your staff contact Dustin S. Brown, our Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner for the Office of External Affairs/Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, at (410) 907-5418. I am sending a similar response to Representative Lawler.

Sincerely,
Leland Dudek
Acting Commissioner