Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One Day
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 26, 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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Jeremy
This is just one of the most stupidest thing ever. To prevent “fraud” they decide to get rid of one of the only ways most seniors and disabled can get their checks (which is most of those that receive social security) instead of let’s say adding additional protocols like a visual video like I had to do for when I was asked when I signed up for unemployment benefits to have proof it was me. If there was actual fraud investigate that fraud instead of making it harder for everyone else. Like someone else said before if it looks suspicious then flag it and get it fixed instead of basically forcing millions to go without their checks if they have no ability to do it online or in person which could take months before even getting an appointment that they need to survive.
Danielle B.
If you aren’t changing anything to your direct deposit you aren’t affected. If you cannot verify your identity via their 2 step verification process then you need to go into the office to make changes. Why is it such a big deal to verify who you are? Banks have a two step verification process to do online banking. You still have to go into the bank for various transactions. I think having the extra security in place, especially tall the internet hacking increasing, is important. Very important actually. Because people who haven’t accessed their social security funds yet are finding out that someone stole their identity and are receiving their benefits.
Mike D.
Will they let you walk in to Social Security office just to show picture ID card or is appointment the only way? 🤷🏽♂️ Like to know be easier for seniors not tech inclined.
Maria B.
If an American national lives overseas, doesn’t have a My Social Security account and wants to change direct deposit banking information, what is the process?
C.B.
Hi, Maria. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. People living abroad can now access their personal my Social Security account by registering and signing in with ID.me. If you don’t have an ID.me account, please select “Sign in with ID.me” to start the process. If you cannot gain access to your information online, please visit our Office of Earnings & International Operations webpage. We hope this helps.
CD R.
How do patients undergoing cancer treatments apply for SSI disability benefits or make changes to their social security accounts? Must they now make an appointment and come into the office, instead of applying or making changes over the phone as in the past?
Also, if you are a retiree living overseas must you now make an appointment and fly home for in a person appointment to make changes to account information?
In both cases, hospitals or care units may not have computer access and some situations overseas do not have reliable access to internet.
Joanne S.
So on top of screwing up SSI for the eldery that already have issues with accessing their accounts, you are forcing them to go into the SSI office with their limited mobility and funds. Also you are empowering the banks to do fraud checking on an ongoing basis. Banks are untrustworthy under the best of conditions and regulations. These changes will only serve to delay and prevent funds from getting to the public entitled to these funds. Add to that the closing of SSI offices and a new staff that has to learn the process and the system may collapse altogether. Another catastrophe brought to you by musk and his cronies.
Kathryn
Hi there….I have READ this post many times AND I am still confused…..I have been receiving my Social Security for 2 years, direct deposit…..I am not changing BANKS or ANYTHING …WHAT is unclear IS, DO I NEED to verify my BANK and redo my paperwork OR is Everything ‘GOOD TO GO’???
*** ARE ALL THESE NEW POLICIES JUST FOR NEW RECIPIENTS of Social Security??? Will I receive my money as usual OR am I suppose to be doing something???
♦️♦️♦️ On a PERSONAL NOTE, many seniors like myself DO NOT DRIVE or own a car….I live in a senior community in the mountains (because it’s cheaper here) and the nearest office is 2 hours away off of the mountain….I have NO transportation off of the mountain….this is horrible that you are doing this to seniors who are already vulnerable…It’s over $300 to Uber off of this mountain….
♦️♦️♦️PLEASE clarify on this notice IF EVERYONE needs to redo paperwork or just NEW applicants & recipients….it’s very confusing AND this is unbelievably difficult & stressful….I can’t sleep at night and my feel sick over it.
Danielle B.
The changes are for NEW recipients and for anyone making changes to their direct deposit who cannot verify via the 2 step online verification process. You can verify your identity online if you need to change anything. If you cannot verify for some reason, then you will need to go into the office for verification.
Christie R.
SSA does know that many old people can’t use computers, right? So the old people can go to Social Security offices. How many Socual Security offices have been closed? Donald Trump and the Republican House and Senate take from the poor and give to the rich. That’s the Trump administration’s motto.
dale
TDS SO SAD
LA
I live in Wyoming and our only SS office in the entire state (Sheridan) is closed and has NO staff. How many people do you honestly think you are going to help with this current insanity? SHAME on you for trying to screw people who have worked hard their entire lives and faithfully “given” the government our money. How can you look yourself in the mirror or sleep at night??
Tony
It took the SSA this long to realized they got scammed by their own stupidity. People were applying online for disability and entering their direct deposit information with the application. After their disability application is completed online, they could mail in their proof of identity. Some people were mailing in their dead relatives identification card without the SSA proving the person is alive or actually the person who was applying.
Remember how many billions of dollars were stolen from unemployment and PPP loan using the same stupid methods such as mailing in their identifications or self downloading the identification with the application without actually seeing the person.
The SSA also allowed beneficiaries to change the direct deposit online. Phones and computers don’t have the best anti-virus softwares. Once the phone or computer is compromised, it is easy for the scammers to intercept your phone call while talking to the SSA representative on the other line or view your text messages or emails.
FRANK A.
I have had a direct deposit made monthly since 2002 and had a problem with the funds being deposited correctly until this month. I visited my bank TODAY to find out that I did NOT receive this deposit. I have no information relevant to this missed payment.