Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One Day
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 18, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity. Over the next two weeks, SSA will carefully transition to stronger identity proofing procedures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal my Social Security account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. At the same time, the agency will expedite processing 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.
“Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
The agency’s two-week transition plan includes training frontline employees and management about the new policy and careful monitoring of policy compliance. At the conclusion of the transition period, on March 31, 2025, SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. 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 therefore recommends calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction. Individuals with and without an appointment will need to prove identity before starting a transaction. Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to change their direct deposit information, can visit a local office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment.
SSA recently required nearly all agency employees, including frontline employees in all offices throughout the country, to work in the office five days a week. This change ensures maximum staffing is available to support the stronger in-person identity proofing requirement.
SSA plans to implement the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment integrity service called Account Verification Service (AVS). AVS provides instant bank verification services to proactively and timely prevent fraud associated with direct deposit change requests.
The agency will continue to monitor and, if necessary, make adjustments, to ensure it pays the right person the right amount at the right time while at the same time safeguarding the benefits and programs it administers.
People who do not already have a “my Social Security” account can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: General Information, my Social Security account, online services
See CommentsAbout the Author
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Jim W.
Welcome to Musk-ville….
MaryAnn S.
I have been collecting Social Security for years, and I am entitled to them. I have direct deposit. I do not wish to change that. What do I need to do?
Bea
Unfortunately it didn’t he,p me
Patricia V.
Social Security should have more than one telephone number for this business. The government needs to allocate their priorities to help citizens, especially those who need critical answers as soon as possible.
Bill B.
I don’t understand how cutting staff, but requiring more in-person contacts is supposed to work. Don’t you recall the days prior to direct deposit? Phones rang all day and lines were impossibly long on the third day of every month. In addition, this seems to be especially difficult for our “senior” senior citizens. Especially for those millions of recipients who are 100 to 150 years old! This is just mean.
judy r.
The world is already difficult for elders who must grapple with technology in their everyday life. If they get locked out of their account because they made an error logging in or forgot how to do it, it is extremely frustrating and anxiety-producing. Many social security recipients have memory issues. Never mind having to drive for an hour to get to a SS office. You are not helping.
JS
What a barrier to the elderly and people with disabilities to have to get to an office in-person to conduct business, especially when you are talking about closing offices and cutting staff. How will you provide accommodations?
Jonathan
It took 2 years just to straightened out my back pay, after I supplied proof.
While I used up just about all of my retirement funds to cover rent, meds, and other necessities of life.
It came but really late and still not nearly enough to replace expenses
Patricia V.
Sorry to learn that. Yes, more staff should be available to help citizens. No excuse for lack of help. Social Security is responsible for lack of assistance, and no one should be responsible for SSA lack of assistance. Should be SSA’s responsibility.
Maxine d.
I hope you will continue to direct deposit my monthly benefit without any problems. I live in Costa Rica and therefore I cannot come to a US social security office to prove my identity. I am almost 76 years old and have cancer and cannot travel back to the US.
Traci M.
Is this so that going forward Elon can’t cancel a person’s Social Security payments and then take money out of their bank account?
Patricia V.
I think it is illegal to cancel honesty earned SSA payments. That Elon Musk should place himself on a back burner somewhere and think about the ramifications of his selfish behavior.