Social Security Administration to Require Strict In-Person, or Online Identity Checks

The Social Security Administration announced Tuesday that over the next two weeks, it will implement tighter identity-proofing measures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes. According to the announcement, the changes are an effort to prevent fraudulent claims.

The SSA will require individuals seeking these services to use online identity confirmation or visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. Effective March 31, Americans will not be able to use the phone to sign up for Social Security benefits or make major changes to their accounts that require ID verification. The changes will apply to new Social Security applications and to existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information.

“Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance,” said Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, in a statement. “For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”

The agency also announced it will expedite the processing time for all direct deposit change requests—both in person and online—to one business day. Prior to this change, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.

The agency’s two-week transition plan includes training employees and management about the new policy, according to the announcement.

The SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim cannot be completed until the individual’s identity is verified in person.

The agency recommends calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction.

While the SSA recently required nearly all agency employees to work in the office five days per week, the agency was projected to lay off at least 7,000 people as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to drastically downsize the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency Service Temporary Organization, run by Elon Musk. Prior to this downsizing, many reported that the SSA was already understaffed. DOGE has also published a list of at least 26 Social Security offices expected to close this year, starting in April, according to a report by the Associated Press.

More than 60 House Democrats, led by Representatives Jared Moskowitz of Florida and Al Green of Texas this week to share “grave concerns” about the planned changes.

“In fiscal year 2024 alone, the [SSA] received nearly 80 million calls to its 1-800 number, with phone-based claims accounting for about 40% of all claims processed. For many beneficiaries, online services are simply not an option due to technological limitations, lack of internet access, or physical and cognitive impairments,” they wrote.

The AARP on Wednesday urged the SSA to reverse its decision.

“SSA’s announcement not only comes as a total surprise but is on an impractical fast-track, with SSA saying the change will become permanent in two weeks,” said AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond in a statement. “SSA needs to be transparent about its service changes and seek input from the older Americans who will be affected, because any delay in Social Security caused by this change can mean real economic hardship.”

The nonprofit Alliance for Retired Americans also issued a statement in response to the agency’s changes, arguing that they will create “unnecessary hardships” for retirees seeking to claim their benefits.

“In just two weeks, the SSA will force millions of elderly and disabled Americans to either visit understaffed and closing field offices or navigate an online-only system to access the benefits they have earned,” the Alliance wrote in a statement. “They claim this move will reduce fraud—yet they have provided no evidence to support this assertion.”

The Alliance also stated that surveys consistently show that millions of seniors lack reliable internet access, either due to the absence of broadband service or because they do not own a computer or smartphone.

“Our members are outraged, and we are calling on Congress to act immediately to rein in Musk and protect Social Security for the millions of Americans who rely on it,” the Alliance stated.

People who do not already have a “my Social Security” account can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.