Senators Rally Against Closure of Littleton Social Security Office

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Local leaders are raising alarms over plans to close a Social Security office in Littleton. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, both Democrats from New Hampshire, are urging the federal government to halt this plan, which they claim threatens vital services for thousands of residents.

The closure, proposed by the General Services Administration, is part of broader cost-cutting measures initiated by President Donald Trump‘s administration and his advisor, Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

On Tuesday, Hassan and Shaheen sent a letter to the General Services Administration and the Social Security Administration calling for an immediate reconsideration of the closing plans. They expressed deep concerns about the impact on the community, as more than 334,000 residents, or roughly one in five Granite Staters, rely on Social Security benefits to get by.

“If this office closes, some residents could have to travel up to 100 miles for assistance,” Hassan stated. “This will disproportionately affect the elderly, the disabled, and our veterans who depend on these services for crucial support.”

Lucy Golden, a Franconia resident who cares for her 95-year-old mother, echoed these worries during an interview with WMUR-TV. “If she were to lose her benefits, it would be devastating. She earned those benefits. My father worked hard for those too. It’s frustrating to see them threaten such essential services,” Golden said.

Golden pointed out that the Littleton office is always busy and closing it would adversely affect many in the North Country. “They can say people can go online, but many older adults or those with disabilities may not have computers or the ability to navigate the internet. The nearest office after Littleton would be in Concord, and not everyone has access to transportation,” she added.

Hassan noted, “People access that office to ensure they’re qualifying for their benefits and to get their questions answered. They deserve easy access to the benefits they paid into for their retirement.”

In addition to the Littleton Social Security office, DOGE’s closure plans include at least six other federal properties throughout New Hampshire, impacting locations such as the Small Business Administration office in Lebanon, as well as offices in Manchester, Portsmouth, and Dover.

Musk, addressing these closures, promised that the administration would proceed cautiously. “Only by tackling waste and fraud in entitlements like Social Security and Medicare can we preserve those benefits for future generations,” he expressed.

As the public reacts to these potential closures, Hassan and Shaheen have emphasized the need for a united front addressing what they call a bipartisan concern, urging residents to contact their state representatives.