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/.
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.
Mary
I read about the new changes today o
Mireille U.
A lot of people asking:
I received for many years and receive Direct Deposit on
UsDirectExpress card (Comerica Bank).
I go to my Bank then my Bank withdraws in cash from my card and then put on my checking account or saving. All verifying my ID
So questions
Do I need to go online or in person to SSA for verifying my ID ? Or not necessary ?
SSA Recipients with
USDirectExpress Card do they need to have ID Verified ? Yes or not ?
Merry C.
That is a lot of steps! Ugh!
Merriam C.
That is a lot of steps!!! wow!
Adnon P.
Please clarify as we seniors are getting conflicting messages from Doge online?
1. If you have proven your identity and are currently using the social security online system and you do not need to change your bank information for your direct deposit
A: You do not need to visit your local social security office face to face. Your identity is confirmed. True or false?
2. Your direct deposit for April 2025 will be directly deposited into your current bank account.You do not need to visit your social security office face to face to prove your identity. True or false?
Please do not frighten elderly seniors on social security and state 72 million people receiving social security are mandated to prove their identity face to face at your local social security office. You are fine and will continue to receive your earned retirement check.
Please make sure this simple language is on all social security website, Doge website and release this to all media to help explain new safety measures at social security to stop fraud and abuse. Thank you in advance for getting this done.
John
I have been receiving SS benefits for over a year. After 04/01/2025 am I required to go to an SS office and re-verify my identity in person?
C.B.
Hi, John. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Amber M.
Although I understand this is a security measure, it does NOT take into acccount logistics that many seniors who are living on social security alone are already facing food, transportation and utility insecurity. If the SSA is requiring these same people to find a way to SS office to prove their identity, are they also providing the transportation to get there safely? How does a person who has a payee representative and who is not ambulatory expected to accomplish this? This seems to be an idea that was NOT fully finished before being made into an edict. This will potentially leave the burdon of logistics to those who have already dutifully PAID their share of the Social Security tax. Some of who are now vulnerable persons and who should be protected from the enforcement against fraud and not tasked with the implementation of it.
Bunnie
Confused. If you have no changes to anything do you still have to go to as office to prove identity
James
Well said. This is an impossible request for folks who are hospitalized, in nursing homes, disabled, homebound, bedridden, immune compromised, etc.
It’s unreasonable and increases the risk of poverty and homelessness in an already vulnerable population.
Sue k.
Is this just for disabled persons?
I have been on s s. For awhile and originally applied in person, now what??
Cindy O.
My mother is 97 years old & is in a memory care facility. She has not had an active drivers license for over 10 years – how is she supposed to prove who she is? I do all of her online banking etc. She has been on medicare & social security for over 30 years however I need to login in thru login.gov to access medicare info etc on her behalf! She is unable to go to a social security office – what the heck is she supposed to do to gain access?
C.B.
Hi, Cindy. We’re sorry to hear about your mom’s condition. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove her identity if she’s not applying for cash benefits and if she’s not changing her direct deposit information. She will continue to receive her benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove her identity. We hope this clears up any confusion.
Susan
Do you have Power of Attorney for her? This would be a great help
Pamela R.
This came directly from my Social Security Account website:
What to Know about Proving Your Identity (Subscribe)
Webpage created March 24, 2025
1. Why do I need to prove my identity?
Social Security is strengthening the process to prove identity related to direct deposit information. This applies to individuals who need to provide initial direct deposit information when applying for cash benefits and to someone already receiving benefits if they choose to later change their direct deposit information on our records. The easiest and most secure way is online with a personal my Social Security account. The public does not need to contact Social Security unless they need to change direct deposit information and cannot do it online. People will continue to receive their benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove identity.
2. Does everyone need to prove their identity with Social Security?
No. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove identity if not applying for cash benefits and if not changing direct deposit information. People will continue to receive their benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove identity.
A secure – and most convenient – way to prove identity is with Social Security’s online services using a personal my Social Security account.
Individuals will need to provide in-person identification for certain internet, phone, and paper claims, including claims filed by third parties.
Lori K.
But what is the on-line process thru signing onto MySocialSecurity to prove your identity? If you already have a signon then you never have to prove your identity again and you can apply or change your bank account without any issues? This is the not being answered clearly.
Harry G.
I think 🤔 this is the stupidest thing I ever heard of just because musk thinks he is god and can do anything he wants he is going to make everyone life a living hell he needs to go
Brenda s.
I think there trying to prevent illegals from getting social security
Elizabeth
My husband and I have been collecting
SS. He is 71 and I am 78, we do not need to change anything in regards to our SS benefit. Does this update require us to verify our idenity?
Patricia U.
It does NOT.
Only IF you’re changing anything such as banking information (direct deposit) from your current bank.
Katherine B.
It has been since 2/4/25 since I applied for retirement benefits to start in March. The website says under my account I would be contacted in 30 days of the application, that did not happen. When can I expect my first check? I’m having to have a 2nd major surgery, so it would be helpful to know.
Thank you for any guidance.
kb
X
Many elderly financially and physically frail people are confused and now scared they will not receive their benefits. As a University educated senior, I suggest you have someone use bullet points to simplify the message.
Specifically, tell us who this applies to and the exact steps we need to take. If you are expecting 100% of those that already receive benefits to show up at a SS office in the span of 2 weeks, you have never had to wait in a normal 4 hr line at a SS office yourself.
I also believe you should have someone in authority replying to the messages, otherwise what is the point?
Ronald W.
X: I wholeheartedly agree with your statement!
Trump said he will NOT cut social security so he brought in Elon Musk to disrupt the hell out of it!
Patricia U.
Greetings, I just reread what Social Security says about WHO needs to verify their identity.
Please re-read on the site very top click on “What to know about Proving Your Identity” … then click on each + sign for specific details.