Springfield, IL – As the federal government shutdown enters its 22nd day, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) warns that the Social Security Administration is “on the verge of collapse.” The union represents SSA employees across Illinois, where more than 2.3 million residents depend on monthly Social Security payments totaling over $4.4 billion.
According to AFGE officials, thousands of federal workers are being required to report to their offices without pay as the shutdown continues. The union is urging the agency to allow telework for eligible employees, arguing that the current policy forces staff to cover commuting expenses they cannot afford.
On average, SSA employees in Illinois spend roughly $147 a week commuting — even as they wait for paychecks that may not come soon. In some states, workers have already resigned under mounting financial pressure.
The union has repeatedly warned that chronic understaffing threatens the agency’s mission. Since March, more than 7,000 SSA positions have been eliminated nationwide. Without adequate staffing, AFGE says service delays and long wait times could worsen, potentially disrupting benefits for millions of Americans.
