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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Tags: General Information, my Social Security account, online services
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Marcus
I don’t disagree but I didn’t realize the fraud rate was 0.3%, which I consider to be high. What other measures can be taken to reduce that fraud rate? Thanks.
Carmella m.
I am very confused as of many people. I am collecting my ss pension. My bday os 04181958. Carmella booth. I am not on ssi. I keep reading that. Everyone has to prove them self. Do i have to go down to ss. Do i mske a appointment. I live ss ck to ck. I need my ss deposited to mske my rent. Please help. 708551520q. Thank u
Barbara
0.03% if you think this is high then getting 0.10% on your bank account must be making you rich. I think you’ve got a little problem with the math.
S.Rae W.
This is wrong ! President Rosevelt promised when he assigned these numbers they would never be used for identification but today you can’t even open a bank account without one ! If you must implement this then make only the people who were not born here in the U.S. do it ! Seniors are not able to comply and after all , this is our money !
Malcolm T.
I’m happy to you adjusting your procedures to insure integrity in your systems and processes. Thank you for bringing more people into the offices and implementing proper training to your organization.
Please make adjustments to encourage enthusiasm in your workplace. Your places in Social Security are very important to many people who count on your service.
Thank you.
Bruce W.
This article makes no mention that if a person is already set up to receive – and has been receiving benefits – need not “sign up” unless they need to make any changes such as a change in address or direct deposit bank.
Woody
Gina b.
Can 2 people who live in the same residence (but not on the same account) use the same cell phone number? My mom is.90 years old and doesn’t have a cell phone to verify. Also, it would help if we were given a deadline on when this needs completed.
Lori K.
Seems like there is a lot of questions and no one is getting any answers. How does the on-line validation method work? What steps need to be taken?
Susan I.
Thank goodness! I am so glad and grateful for these changes! It makes total sense to streamline AND safeguard the system fot it’s recipients! Just thank you!!!
Dena G.
Considering you are allowing unqualified individuals to offload our identity information to unsecured hard drives thereby facilitating identity theft, this is completely hypocritical and designed to prevent people from accessing THEIR paid in benefits.
Trondo
Already have account and verified my identity through login.gov. I was able to access my account until yesterday when it says I have to verify my identity over again. With all of the illegal activity being performed by musk and his band of thieves, this has me questioning the validity of this new requirement.
john g.
you are completely right bonnie and hopefully sooner or later the real american public will realize they need to vote out the boot licking,mean spirtied corprate dollar loving current so called public officials now in office.