On January 27, 2026, approximately 315 Social Security Administration offices across 23 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. were abruptly closed for 24 hours due to the severe impacts of Winter Storm Fern. The closures disrupted in-person services, although many operations remained accessible online. The event also coincided with broader administrative changes to Social Security’s appointment system, drawing commentary on how extreme weather and evolving service models are reshaping public expectations and quality of life.
