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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Tags: General Information, my Social Security account, online services
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Steve R.
I agree many will have trouble complying with the new system.
Leave it alone please.
Bonnie C.
This is so wrong. The fraud rate is only 0.3% and you are doing everything you can to keep seniors from obtaining the benefits they earned. You have closed offices so that many seniors will have to travel hours to get to an office and the wait time to get an appointment is already over a month long. Because you are firing thousands of employees, it’s going to be even longer. Many seniors have no internet because they can’t afford it or they live in areas where there is no reliable internet. There are also seniors who are not tech savvy enough to set up online identity verification. A lot of seniors are disabled, which makes it difficult for them to travel to an office, if they can find someone to take them. Your new rule is extremely harmful to seniors and the disabled and you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Bart
Thank you ,you said it and explained it very well
Kwaika
please re-read above as this will only affect those (already receiving SS) if they change their direct deposit.
Michael
I was deeply concerned about what I term misinformation I received via cell phone. Your comment is my understanding as well; however, I will contact our local SS Office to confirm. Thank you.
Andy K.
Bonnie, you are correct. The wave of the current administration does not care for seniors or disabled. These new rules will impact so many and the online system will crash on the 31st. Which will cause many to try to make an appointment, but cannot because of the lack of staff. Payments will be delayed or denied for those who have no other source. Prosecute those for fraud that are found, but not on the backs of the most vulnerable that don’t have the means or tech savvy to get the benefits they deserve and worked for.
Kat
Did you read the social security site? If you don’t have a social security account you can set up one, this is for people who are new to social security. If you change your bank account you will have to identify yourself by the website or in person. If you haven’t changed your bank account, then don’t worry.
Remember there are buses for the elderly.
Melody
I totally agree this is very detrimental to those who do not have online access or able to appear in person. There are people who are bedridden or in nursing homes who are not able to without the resources to do this.
Cheryl K.
Bonnie I completely agree with you! I sure hope SSA changes this situation as it affects millions of people, disabled and seniors. But I do believe that this is unfortunately Trumps idea. Bummer for the American people.
Gonzalez
Yes they are making it difficult for any senior or disabled person to reach their benefits at the SSA. How does this make America great again we give no respect to our elders and hate the different cultures and races that we need help from a higher power Jesus Christ is the only True Love.Amen
Cyndi C.
Ma’am I am very happy to see the tighter account security! In September of 2023, my husband’s account was hacked and his check was taken by someone outside of our country! The criminal was never caught. There are many organizations that assist seniors with technology issues not to exclude their family that should be assisting them. Do not ridicule agencies for increasing security. It’s needed!
Isabel M.
Your absolutely right Bonnie! This is a disgrace on every level!! This is pure Evil! This Trump Regime are all BILLIONAIRES,so none of this effects them in any way whatsoever,horrible😠I’m saying lots of prayers for those Seniors who will be homeless,because of this Regime 🙏🏽This is Crimes Against Humanity!!
AE
Thank you DOGE for making our accounts more safe from hacking.
Kelly K.
Fake comment. .03% fraud. No one is happy. It’s a trick to not pay the oldest and sickest Americans who have paid into S.S. their whole lives.
Les N.
Hopefully this will aid in Fraud prevention
Kelly K.
Fake comment. No one is happy with this.
Phyllis S.
How can we go in person if all the offices have been closed?
Elizabeth P.
I verified my identity less than 10 days ago with an in person visit to the social security office. Why do I have to do this again? How do I know who you are sharing my information with?
You_shouldn't_need_to...
If you did it 10 days ago, what makes you think you need to do it again?
Please search comment page 22 (should be this page) for “HOW_I_UNDERSTAND_IT”…I have a longer reply there.
Also, I can’t answer the 2nd question, I’m concerned about that too!
TRUC-NHU H.
I have my social security online account. My bank deposit inumber is still the same. What do I need to do?
Nothing
Nothing.
Patricia W.
If I am already receiving benefits is there any thing I need to do before March 31 2025?
No_I_don't_think_so
No, I don’t think so, please see my other reply, 2 comments below…
This is supposed to be a link…
HOW_I_UNDERSTAND_IT
…but if that didn’t work, scroll down or try this URL…
https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-strengthens-identity-proofing-requirements-and-expedites-direct-deposit-changes-to-one-day/comment-page-22/#comment-832271
T.Y.
Hi, Patricia. No. You do not need to contact Social Security to continue your monthly benefits at your current bank. If you need to change your direct deposit information in the future, you can change that information online with a personal my Social Security account or automatic enrollment service through your bank. For more information visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. We hope this information is helpful.
Brad S.
I truly don’t understand why more services cannot be completed online. For example, requesting to have withholding tax withheld from my social security payments requires calling and talking to an agent or completing a form and snail mailing it to a local office. Getting through on the telephone requires listening to the same messages over and over and getting past an automated assistant that keeps asking the same question over and over. Once you get past the agent, you are then informed that hold time is in excess of 120 minutes. This is the same process for making an appointment to see someone in person.
Kim P.
Please verify if this is for all individuals receiving benefits or just for those applying or modifying direct deposit. This article is unclear.
HOW_I_UNDERSTAND_IT
I want to write up a more-complete answer, but as far as I understand…
* If you CAN LOGIN online: none of this applies to you…you do everything online as normal. No changes.
* If you CAN’T DO ONLINE…*AND* you are already receiving benefits *AND* you *DON’T* need to change direct deposit info: none of this applies to you. No changes, no problem.
However, if you CAN’T DO ONLINE *AND* are either NEWLY APPLYING *OR* you need to change direct deposit info…THEN (you’re screwed), you DO NEED to go in-person to an SSA office.
That’s what I believe to be true!
(testing formatting, ignore: [b]b[/b], [bold]bold[/bold], b)
Update!
Also, pursuant to…
…it sounds like, for this identity verification (only?), you don’t need an in-person appointment, you can just “visit” — aka just show up!
It literally says “can visit a local office to process the change or…” that “or” is significant, you CAN visit an office (without an appointment?) or wait on hold forever to schedule an appointment.
Maybe they worded it wrong?…but that IS was it says!
Ugly_blockquote_&_a_typo!
I had NO IDEA a “blockquote” would look THAT HORRIBLE! (too big AND using an ugly serif font!)
Also, I made a typo…
Maybe they worded it wrong?…but that IS was it says!
…should’ve been…
Maybe they worded it wrong?…but that IS what it says!
…but I can’t edit a previous comment!