DOGE says $312M in loans were given to children during COVID pandemic

The Department of Government Efficiency reported that the Small Business Administration granted 5,593 loans totaling $312 million to individuals listed as 11 years old or younger during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. DOGE found that the SBA also issued 3,095 loans for $333 million to borrowers over 115 years old, including one individual listed as 157 years old who received $36,000 in loans.

Following its findings, DOGE and the SBA are investigating these loans and have faced criticism and lawsuits regarding their access to Social Security data.

A group of labor unions has challenged DOGE’s access to Social Security data, seeking a court order to block this access in federal court.