Dozens of people gathered Wednesday to oppose cuts to Social Security that they say could impact seniors all across Santa Barbara.

Residents gathered in front of the Social Security Administration office in Santa Barbara, at 122 W. Figueroa St., to oppose potential cuts to staff levels that could lead to closed offices and cause delays in payments.

“It feels like the whole community is aching to get out, not just to protect themselves but the whole country,” protester Ian Paige said.

The event was organized by Indivisible Santa Barbara and was attended by Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, who walked into the office carrying a letter signed by him and other members of the public.

The planned cuts are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to cut government spending, specifically by reducing staffing.

The administration has proposed cutting the agency’s staff by 7,000 people and has already offered buyouts to other employees. The loss of employees has worsened the agency’s staffing levels, which were already at a 50-year low.

Other proposals include cutting technology departments that run key services, such as technology support, by 50% or more. It also has been reported that some SSA field offices will close.

Attendees at the event held up signs and chanted slogans criticizing Trump, Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.

In his comments, Carbajal called Social Security a lifeline and said the cuts are part of a plan to provide tax cuts to corporations and the richest Americans.

“My colleagues on the other side of the aisle like to call this an entitlement program, like it was entitled as part of the budget. It is not part of the budget,” Carbajal told the crowd. “Social Security is your money, it is our money, and I’m glad you’re all here to send a message to the Trump administration: ‘Hands off our Social Security.’”