(Reuters) - The U.S. Social Security Administration is considering dramatically curtailing the phone services that 73 million retired and disabled Americans rely on to apply for and access their earned government benefits, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

The agency, under pressure from the U.S. DOGE Service team, is considering a proposal to end telephone service for claims processing and direct-deposit bank account transactions, and instead direct elderly and disabled people to the internet and in-person field offices, according to the Washington Post.