Montana Faces Major Social Security Staffing Shortages

For Montanans who receive Social Security, if there are issues that need to be resolved, it may be more difficult to get that done these days.  

How Many Montanans Depend on Social Security

According to AARP, over 258,000 Montanans get Social Security, which works out to more than one in five residents. Social Security injects more than $5 billion dollars into Montana’s economy each year.  

There is a staffing shortage at Social Security offices in 46 of the 50 states, with Montana being one of the states that is affected the most.  

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The Strategic Organizing Center is reporting that Social Security field offices have seen a rise in demand for services and at the same time they are seeing a decline in staffing.  

Staff Shortages Across Montana and Wyoming

Montana and Wyoming are seeing the biggest effects of these shortages. From March of 2024 through March of 2025, the Montana field offices have seen a 14% decrease in staffing. Wyoming has seen a 17% decrease in staffing.    

According to the report, here are some of the reasons staff shortages will affect Montana and Wyoming more than other states.  

Residents in these geographies are less likely to have stable internet and computer access to get online services. Residents of Wyoming and Montana already face significant drive times to local offices. 

As of 2022 Montana had over 25,000 residents who get Social Security disability payments.

READ MORE: Montana Couple Defrauds Social Security of Nearly $200,000

In February of 2025, the Trump administration announced a plan to cut 12% of the Social Security Administration's workforce which comes out to about 7,000 workers in total. With Montana already at 14% less staff, it will only be harder for Social Security recipients if more cuts happen here.