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.
Terry
This is in effect MUSK-TRUMP’s operational order for their final assault on Social Security. Happening right in front of us, and there is complete silence from Republicans in Congress — if they would spend less tim running diversionary stunts like their ceaseless moaning about DEI and other minutiae, then they might be able to put some effort toward stopping this in-broad-daylight war to kill Social Security and Medicare. In other words, representing YOU, a large number of whom sent them to the national headquarters. Deluge your congressmen and senators with phone calls/letters/emails, let them know how angry you are about this attack, and advise them to get to work immediately. Now, we know these comments are watched closely by the very people who have been told to take down the Social Security Administration, by individuals with bottomless pockets, so the odds this entry will make it much beyond this page is slim. We’ll see what happens.
Kathy L.
Most don’t seem to get this ID check is NOT to control your benefits. There is rampant fraud in the system. Do you want ineligibles taking your money????? It’s about time SS required proper id. If everyone getting benefits is properly id, maybe the funds will last longer! Calm down!
Linda H.
I am happy to go wherever I need to to prove who I am to make sure that money is not being stolen from our social security by illegal aliens or people that are 300 years old. With social security being on the verge of bankruptcy within 10 years I would think everyone would want this.
Ruby C.
Hello, my husband and I have the my Social Security account and can access our accounts via Login.gov. Do we still need to go to the SSA office to personally identify ourselves? Please advise. Thanks
Patricia O.
Why in the world IS THE GOVERMENT MESSING WITH SS THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS WHO I AM EVER SINCE I WAS BORN. THEY KNOW WHERE I LIVE. THEY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT ME ALREADY!!!! WTF
Hontas
The amount of people who can not read all the words is astonishing. 1. Applying for benefits 2. Changing your direct deposit information, two things that’s all. Those two things you need to make an account and verify your identity. If you already receive benefits and are changing Nothing then you do Nothing. This is not hard people.
All this from the generation that prides itself on being able to count change and write in cursive.
Wanda H.
I’ve been getting my social security since 2019 do I have to come to the office to verify who I am
Steven L.
Single father of 2 young children . I have worked 30 years as CDL driver and sales had a heart attack my CDL were took and I was let go no longer able to work. 4 years now been going through this process no money is allowed to come in even government no choice but to sell my children’s home and everything we own gov took my CDL because of heart attack but denied benefits from me smoking year ago when did it say I can’t get my money because of how I got my disability or what they think did .not my doctor. Disabled is disabled this is criminal and a joke not only do they say I can appeal but that it could take same amount of time. Tell my kids that criminals it’s my money you should all be arrested for this scam.
PD
While I am comfortable with tightened security, this is very hard for the elderly that are not up to speed on technology or have never used a computer, etc.
Take in mind that some Social Security offices near them might be closing.
Betty J.
I love this 😍