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/.
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Johnny G.
If you have paid into social security through out your life and you can prove your identity there should be no reason for delays. If they are having issues paying out citizens they should stop drawing money out from our paychecks when we get paid.
Cindy P.
I have been trying to work with SS to claim my deceased husband’s social security. But even though social security has sent me a couple emails, using my email address, when I try to log in to Social security on my account, I get a message that days they don’t recognize my email..
S.S.
We are sorry to hear about your loss, Cindy. If you need help with transitioning your account, you can contact Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. Call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-078). Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.
Melissa D.
I needed to ask a question I’ve got a terminal illness and it says on the bottom of one of my papers and if you got terminal illness you are allowed to get the rest of your money for your back pay I’m only got about $5,000 coming and I want to get it to get me a car or go on a vacation I’ve never got to go on a vacation I was wanting to ask somebody to hire up if I can do that because they called me from the Social Security office here in Oak Ridge Tennessee and tell me that he couldn’t allow me to do that so why does it say one thing and he’s another please help cuz it’s not fair I want to be able to go to the beach before I die
S.S.
Hi, Melissa. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to discuss your situation. Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Keep in mind, wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. We hope this helps.
Gary Z.
I have access to My SSA.GOV ut I see nothing about a new validation requirement. What must I and my wife do to Validate who we are to ensure there is no disruption to our Social Security direct Deposits?
Jeff B.
Nothing. If you already have an online account and have been collecting direct deposits, there is nothing you need to do. This is only for new claims, direct deposit changes, AND you do not want to use the online process.
Kathryn
Thank You for responding….I had the same question….
♦️♦️♦️ NO WHERE on the article does it SAY THIS is only for NEW applications or changing banks….I have been getting my money for 2 years WITHOUT problems….
*** this is soooo stressful
CLF
I applied for SSDI in May/June 2022, hearing Sep 2024, Judge Approval Oct 2024, SSDI Approval letter Nov 2024, first payment Jan 2025, yet still no payments for my 3 dependent children, still no retro pay/back pay for myself, still no retro/back pay for my children. I’ve called several times, I’ve gone in person, my representative has called, I get different excuses every time and still no time frame on when I’ll receive the funds owed to myself and family that we’ve waited 3 years for. When is this section of the process going to improve?
Joe S.
Get a lawyer
john C.
I’m sorry for what has happened to you and your family. I hear everything that you have said and believe me you are one of the lucky ones who filled for ssdi and got it in 3 years. But don’t worry you will get all of your back pay OK.
I got disabled back in 06 helping rebuild after hurricane Katrina hit the south I fought the social security department for 9 years before I got my disability and I cut off my fingers on my right hand OK. I received my disability in 2015 in the fall time they paid me 2 years back pay and to this day I am still fighting them for my other 7 years back pay OK.
But with this new way of them changing it for the good I’m hoping that we all will get what we our owed right?? We have to get all of these illegals off social security first and than we will start to see the changes so just hold on you will get what they owe you okay
R K.
Contact your congressman. They can help if they chose to.
PatW
Never wil it approve. It took me 14 yrs to get my widows pension and disability. They denied me for stupid reasons said I owned a house and I refused to live in it. I was living in my house that we owned. They said I went down there and told them I no longer wanted to collect my benfits. I begged them to let the case go before a judge in court. It took 14 yrs for that to happen and they were mad because they had to pay me all the back pay from when I first filed. They had stopped that and only pay back pay from when you are awarded your case. Needless to say they were not happy because I never missed an appeal on their decision. They had nothing on me because I had every appeal I filed with the date and time that I turned in every paper. Once the judge awarded me my case I did start receiving my money right away. The judge did tell me if they did not respond to me within so many days to let her know. They responded right away. What they try to do is get you frustrated so you will say forget it. I handled my case by myself but was told by Social Security that I had to have a lawyer go to court with me. That was a total lie . I paid this lawyer 7,000.00 who I never saw until the day we went to court I met him at the court house. He did nothing for my case and the judge did not like him and neither did I. I hope you get your money soon. This System should not be withholding any decision of getting your money that is due to you for any length of time and they use to until Congress took over the System so they can dip into our funds whenever they want. We pay into the system and get less than we paid into it. So it’s not a welfare system and they need to stop looking at it as if they are doing us a favor of giving us our own money. Give the people the option of paying into Social Security and I would say get an IRA or another account and invest in that instead of Social Security you will come out ahead. I have not received my Fairness Act Retro pay either.
S.S.
Hi, CLF. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to discuss your situation. Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Keep in mind, wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. We hope this helps.
Mariah h.
Yes
Pedro M.
Why haven’t I received my Fairness Act Retroactive payment?
Diane E.
Not due until March 31, if you trust the government.
Disclaimer – I am not a government employee, I just read the info on the website.
Julie K.
One Day is not enough it can take weeks to verify things or wait on papers. And not all people can get a ride 100 miles or longer this is deadly for some recipients
Anna B.
If you are already signed up through ID.ME and receive direct deposit, di we need to do anything?
Evelyn b.
What is this new identity thing. If u already have soc sec and get soc sec ck by deposit do we have to do anything
Eric
If you have ID .me and logging.gov and direct deposit do we need to do anything.
Sharon F.
I have the same question. I started receiving my Social Security last year. And I don’t understand if I need to do anything now. I have direct deposit will everything continue fine or will I not receive a payment very confusing
Catherine b.
This should not go into affect without public comment and hearing’s! This is a cruelty to the most vulnerable. Please stop this!
Tiffany J.
I agree
Rachel L.
The people have already spoken, you’ll get your money, relax.
David M.
Totally agree!
Rainey M.
This is terrible deliberate misinformation. Social Security has always had the most strident id processes. Ask anyone who has applied for any service or benefits. This article insinuating that any member of the public can access or change any of the 400,000+ Social Security number records is shameful. The agency guarded your records from access from every angle–from outside and inside with a security you won’t experience now that those records have been given to some guy that plans to use the records of all Social Security card numbers holders in and outside the USA. BE AFRAID.
MELVIN J.
Does this affect current direct deposits?
MollyW
That’s what I was wondering too.
Miranda l.
It’s not caring care for the elderly. It’s torturing the sick elderly….