Social Security

Trump administration tells states to end ‘orphan tax’ on foster kids

There's a growing move to end what some call "the orphan tax" and stop states from taking benefit checks from children and youth in foster care.

Inflation rose less than expected in September, the U.S. belatedly reports

The federal government recalled some furloughed workers specifically to produce the inflation report, which plays a key role for Social Security beneficiaries.

The federal shutdown puts nutrition aid for millions of new parents at risk

Nearly seven million pregnant women and young children depend on WIC for healthy foods. Advocates say funding could run out in about two weeks, leaving states to close the gap if their budgets allow.

Whistleblower says Trump officials copied millions of Social Security numbers

A whistleblower complaint says that the personal data of over 300 million Americans was copied to a private cloud account to allow access by members of the Department of Government Efficiency team.

What Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for taxes on Social Security

Many Americans received an email from the Social Security Administration applauding the megabill's passage. Experts say it was misleading.

Why there’s an unexpected surge in people claiming Social Security

Some early filers say worries about the future under the Trump administration moved up their timelines.

Social Security officials partially walk back plans for in-person verification

Officials said they would now exempt people who apply for Medicare and disability benefits, as well as supplemental income help for the poor, from having to prove their identity in-person.

5 takeaways from this week — from courts pushing back on Trump to wars overseas

Here are five takeaways from a week when President Trump moved ahead with deportations and sweeping changes to the federal government — and ran into obstacles in the courts.