| What to Know for Monday, March 16, 2026: | 1: Congress demands answers from Social Security Commissioner on DOGE data breach allegations |  | (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons) |
| Second whistleblower alleges major security breach: Following bombshell reporting that a former DOGE employee allegedly copied files containing Social Security data on all Americans (living or dead) onto a personal thumb drive to use as a private citizen, two ranking Democrats say Commissioner Bisignano "seemingly minimized our grave concerns" during a bipartisan meeting. Lawmakers fear "dangerous lack of oversight": U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and John Larson say the new whistleblower report "fuels our alarm that under your watch a dangerous lack of oversight may have led to a major security breach of Americans' most private Social Security data" — they repeatedly asked about DOGE members' access during the meeting but Bisignano's responses failed to inspire confidence. Deadline set for answers: Given the gravity of allegations and sensitivity of SSA data, the lawmakers gave Commissioner Bisignano until March 26, 2026 to detail what he knows about the situation, how SSA is investigating DOGE's actions and risk to the public, and what assurances he can provide about his leadership going forward.
| ➜ Read the full story from The Berkshire Edge here. | | 2: Proposed Farm Bill ignores unfolding food assistance crisis affecting millions of seniors |  | (Image credit: KCBD) |
| $187 billion SNAP cut already taking effect: Last July's Republican megabill enacted the deepest SNAP cut in history (roughly 20%), and 47.9 million people lived in food-insecure households last year — millions, including seniors, are seeing food assistance cut or terminated through harsh eligibility restrictions, additional paperwork, and red tape. States may be forced to end SNAP entirely: For the first time ever, states must pay a share of SNAP benefits starting in 2028 — states that can't raise taxes or cut other services may have to further slash SNAP or withdraw from the program altogether, terminating food assistance for all low-income people including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans. Arizona showing alarming early declines: In Arizona, hundreds of thousands fewer people received SNAP in December than in July due to new paperwork requirements and staff cuts — one official called the state's challenges with delays and backlogs "a direct consequence" of the megabill, and people aren't dropping off because they don't need help, but because they're being cut off.
| ➜ Read the full story from the CBPP here. | | | 3: Social Security ordered to restore telework for employees — agency lost 7,000 workers last year |  | (Image credit: Newsweek) |
| Arbitrator rules telework suspension violated contract: A third-party arbitrator ordered SSA to restore telework for employees represented by the American Federation of Government Employees to pre-March 2025 levels (about 2 days per week) — the arbitrator found SSA's indefinite suspension was a "clear and patent breach" of its collective bargaining agreement. SSA disagrees and will appeal: The agency "strongly disagrees" with the ruling and will appeal to the Federal Labor Relations Authority — SSA claims eliminating telework has "realized significant improvements in our performance, providing better, faster customer service" through in-person work. Staff losses threaten service quality: A recent GAO report found SSA's removal of telework puts the agency at risk of losing more staff, with some employees considering leaving for jobs with better flexibility — SSA lost at least 7,000 employees last year, and union officials say telework is "essential to preventing attrition at a time when SSA needs every employee it can hold onto."
| ➜ Read the full story from Federal News Network here. | | | Here's What You Missed on YouTube: | Check out our new YouTube videos for Monday, March 16th. | Medicare Advantage Holders MUST DO THIS Before Open Enrollment ends on March 31st |  | Medicare Advantage Holders MUST DO THIS Before Open Enrollment Ends on March 31st |
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| The Social Security Filing Mistake Married Couples Keep Making That Could Cost You $117,600 |  | The Social Security Filing Mistake Married Couples Keep Making - That Could Cost You $117,600 |
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| | | The Daily 3 Deal List—Week of March 16th | | This newsletter is for information only. Always confirm your options directly with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or a qualified advisor before making big decisions about your benefits. | *View our Advertising Disclosure |
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