12News helps Valley woman cut through DOGE red tape

PHOENIX — Nancy Hegyi was at her wit’s end.

On Friday morning, she had spent at least three hours trying to get someone at the Social Security Administration to help her get her 1099 tax form, which is needed to report Social Security income on a tax return.

However, President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s push with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for massive federal cuts have put a crimp on those wanting help with Social Security benefits.

This week, the agency said it would transition to “stronger identity protection procedures,” and those who can’t log into their online accounts “will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person.”

USA TODAY reported that the announcement came two weeks after the Trump administration said it would shutter dozens of local Social Security offices and after a leaked memo recommended no longer allowing seniors to make account changes over the phone.

Locally,  the agency no longer allows walk-in customers at its north Phoenix office.

Hegyi was unaware of the change and drove from Fountain Hills to 16241 N. Tatum Blvd., after spending about 90 minutes waiting on the phone with the Social Security Administration.

But no one picked up the line.

Things didn’t get any better in person.

“You can walk in, but somebody will stop you. They say, do you have an appointment?” she said as she waited in her car. “And you say: ‘No. Because that phone number is not listed on their website.’”

Hegyi said she was given a different phone number to make an appointment. 

She called and waited about 12 minutes.

And, then the person on the other end hung up.

Hegyi then decided to go back into the office — and she invited 12News to come with her.

After asking a security guard for help, that person retrieved a person from the agency.

The Social Security official told 12News to leave the building.

About 7 minutes later, a beaming Hegyi emerged with her 1099 form in hand.

“I gave them the information and they printed it out. That’s all I wanted,” she said. “You should be here more often because you helped me, and I really thank you. I think it’s poorly run.”

The Social Security Administration did not respond to requests for comment.