The Franklin Social Security Administration (SSA) office will remain open despite being flagged for closure by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Local officials, including U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards and Senator Kevin Corbin, confirmed the decision after raising concerns with federal agencies.
DOGE had recommended closing the office due to its high lease cost of $276,309 annually, estimating over $1 million in savings. However, after advocacy from Edwards, Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, and local leaders, officials agreed the office is essential for Western North Carolina residents.
Corbin stated that the lease, set to expire in August, will be renegotiated, ensuring continued service in Franklin. The office, which employs 12 staff members, is the only SSA facility west of Asheville and serves multiple counties, including Macon, Clay, Swain, Graham, Cherokee, Jackson, and Haywood.
The SSA has been reviewing leases as part of a broader effort to cut costs, with some remote hearing sites slated for closure. While the Franklin office remained on a termination list, officials now assure it will not close.
Local residents expressed mixed reactions, with many citing long wait times at the office but acknowledging its necessity for services like Medicare and disability benefits. For some, especially those without internet access or reliable transportation, traveling to Asheville would have been a significant hardship.
Despite federal cost-cutting measures, officials maintain that keeping the Franklin SSA office open is a priority for the region.
