BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WENY) -- The only Social Security Administration Office in Chemung County is on the Department of Government Efficiency's list of leases to be terminated.

According to DOGE, they are terminating the lease because "agency response on no longer a need for space provided by Portfolio".

The office has over a dozen staff members, according to New York Senator Chuck Schumer's office. Schumer says if the SSA office in Big Flats closes, thousands of people who rely on Social Security benefits will be without crucial help. The Senator is demanding answers from federal officials about the potential closure.

“The Big Flats Social Security office is the only location in Chemung County, and with no clarity about the future of the office’s over a dozen employees or assurances about continuity of operations for the Southern Tier local residents deserve answers and – above all – they deserve an open office that continues to provide vital in-person services,” said Schumer, a Democrat and the Senate Minority Leader.

The Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care says if the office is closed as planned, it would dramatically reduce access to vital resources for Chemung County's most vulnerable residents.

“The lack of information from this Administration on the closing of the Big Flats Office is frightening. Our employees show up to work each day looking to help their community and provide these much-needed services, now they have been left in the dark,” said Shawn Halloran, AFGE Local President 3342. “Closing this office can have devasting impacts on the workforce and the ability to provide assistance to local residents. This entire situation has been cruel and stressful.”

Sen. Schumer wrote a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration demanding answers. You can find the whole letter below:

Dear Acting Commissioner LeLand,

I write with deep concerns about the potential closure of the Social Security Administration office in Big Flats, NY. Social Security offices in New York and across the country are essential to ensuring that Americans can access their hard-earned benefits. The Big Flats office is the only office in Chemung County and serves New Yorkers across New York’s Southern Tier, and its closure will make it more difficult for New Yorkers to access the benefits they have earned and depend on.

People in New York and across the country depend on local Social Security offices. Social Security field offices offer a full range of Social Security services, including applying for new or replacement Social Security cards, applying for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits, making changes to benefits information and more. Reliable locally accessibly in-person services are especially important for our rural communities, like those in the Southern Tier.

Your plans for the future of the Big Flats Social Security office remain unclear, jeopardizing the payments for New Yorkers across the Southern Tier. The office was placed on a list of leased offices that will no longer have leases renewed. There has been no communication from ‘DOGE’ about how New Yorkers can receive help with their Social Security benefits if this office closes.

I am also concerned about the office’s over a dozen staff members. They deserve clarity about the future of their work and where they should go if this building is sold.

In an effort to cut through this chaos and get answers for New Yorkers, I seek answers on the following:

1. What factors led to the Big Flats Social Security office’s placement on this list of properties not to have leases reviewed?

2. Who is making the decisions on this lease, and what involvement does DOGE have in that process?

3. Do you plan to reduce or lay off any Social Security staff in the Southern Tier? Where should this office’s employees report to work if this building is sold?

4. Is there an alternative plan for this office’s operations to ensure New Yorkers across the Southern Tier can access Social Security services?

Tens of millions of seniors, families, and children depend on hard-earned Social Security benefits. Closing the Big Flats office will make it more difficult for New Yorkers across the Southern Tier to access their hard-earned Social Security benefits, and that is unacceptable.

The SSA office in Big Flats is located at 3345 Chambers Rd #19.