Veronica Taylor does not know how to turn on the computer, not to mention the Internet.
The 73-year-old guy cannot drive and is mostly in his western Virginia mountain and remote community, where a simple trip to the grocery store can take an hour by car.
New requirementsThe fact that social security recipients gain access to key benefits on the Internet or personally in the field office rather than by phone will be almost impossible to meet without help.
“If this is the only way I should have done it, how would I do it?” said Taylor, talking about changes during the meal plate of green beans, poppy and cheese and fried fish with a group of pensioners at the McDowell Older Center. “I have never done anything.”
Requirements that came into force on March 31 are designed to streamline processes and struggleWide fraudIn the system, according to the presidentDonald TrumpAnd officials in his administration.
It is said that this is why it is vital for people to check their identity on the Internet or personally when signing or making changes as where money is made.
ButfansFor example, the changes will be disproportionate to affect the most vulnerable Americans. It will be harder to visit field offices with high poverty levels. Often, these are the same areas that lack widespread online services.
Many social security offices also close that part of the federal government’s cost reduction efforts. This may mean that the elderly will have to travel even further, including in the rural West Virginia.
Donald Reed, who manages a local non -profit organization that manages two senior centers, has stated that it has serious problems about changing politics, and how it will affect the people his group serves.
“I am not an anti-trampdower to tell me it,” he said. “I think the general public largely supports the search for waste in government. I don’t think the general public understands the consequences of the government’s current actions.”
Poor, rural areas may be most affected
Every third person lives in poverty in the McDael county onceOne of the largest coal manufacturers in the country. About 30% of the population receives social security assistance, and 20% lack broadband. People are already faced with huge problems in access to basic needs such as food and clothing.
Commercial groups, such as the aging commission, receive money from the federal government to provide attractions to the grocery store, medical meetings and a free lunch at the Senior Center, and in theory can add a stop social security office, which is the director of the group.
But the money for transport is not enough to meet the need. Last year, Reed ended with money over the last three months of the financial year and was supposed to immerse himself in the savings of the commission. This year he said he would not be able to do it.
Then, last Friday, he found out that the commission had lost a grant of almost one million dollars he was expecting again from reducing the costs of the federal government.
He planned to use the money to restore one of the two high school students, aging a trailer from the 1980s with a limited seat.
“After the money is gone, you know, the money is gone,” he said.
Flurry of new rules, hard for the elderly to follow
The elderly in the center are going every day for lunch. Usually they can play bingo or card. On this day, from the presence of a reporter from the Associated Press, the conversation turned into politics.
Many Trump fans. Each district in West Virginia supported Trump in three presidential elections.
But everyone agreed that the recent flurry executive was difficult to follow, especially sinceThe last local newspaper in the county is closed,And they were not sure what influence they would have had on their lives.
“I don’t understand much that’s going on now, and I just can’t determine things together, you know,” said the Hughes brand, 72, who said it usually goes to the Social Security Office personally, because she said it was difficult for her to get a call center. “But perhaps it should be like that.”
Mary Weaver, 72, said she did not approve of Trump, which gives Elon Musk so much free time to reduce and change services, and does not see these measures that help McDowall.
“He went to the president and he was going to receive the presidency, but he will allow anyone else to tell him how to rule the country?” she asked, criticizing Trump’s relations with Musk.
Other residents are not concerned. Barbara Leester, 64, said she wanted her to come together with Trump and Musk, and tell them what they do fantastic work.
“And with all the money they save from fraud, they could afford to raise older citizens,” said Leicester, who retired from construction work.
But for Taylor, which depends on the attractions with the senile commission for most of its trips, social security changes may be another thing that will be difficult.
There are many places where she wants to go and can’t get. None of her grandmothers live nearby, her daughter lives in Roanok, Virginia, and her 39-year-old son, who lived in the Velchi area near her, died. The walk from her home to the Social Security Office is six miles.
“If I ask people more than twice to take me away, it’s like begging. And I don’t ask no one to do for me,” she said. “I’m so independent. I don’t ask anyone for anything.”
Originally this story was presented on Fortune.com
https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AP25080710902807-e1742655157187.jpg?resize=1200,600
2025-03-22 15:06:00
Leah Willingham, The Associated Press
