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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Antonio
I understand according Musk and his team there is a lot of fraud going on and the focus on SS might be necessary but why is the Trump administration not going after the true fraudsters and grifters that are all congressman and senators taking trillions of tax payers money between their salaries and the millions of dollars that they each receive for expenses for the hiring of staff for their retirement packages that’s who the real thieves are. Yet they’re focus on we the little people like myself that survive on what little bit I get from Social Security when you hear them say that Social Security was never meant to supplement your retirement ignoring the fact that many of us barely made a living throughout our lifetime all government officials are a bunch of Thieves.
kathleen w.
i just refreshed my password and got a notification it has been changed. then a bunch of spam ads came on and i had to wipe them out in order to keep working on my account. but i had to start the process over again. and now i keep getrting a notice the info doesn’t match. sometimes i really hate computers.can you help.
Laura S.
I’ve been receiving my ss income since 2022. Do I still have to go to an ss office to verify my identity?
Lauren
My 84 year old brother has dementia and is in a care facility in a small town in Kansas. There is no SS facility in that town. Tell me, do you think someone with dementia can create an online account? Or drive himself to a SS office in another town?
Bobby H.
Why couldnt you interview and record a person with facetime for those with a cell phone for those in rural areas who have no computer or transportation? The low income can get a cell phone through lifeline.
Barbara m.
Hopefully it works better u can’t even get a answer on the 1800 number they have listed they never answer and hang up
Lora V.
Praise the Lord !
I think this is absolutely 💯 % great! In person because you have some scrupolos people out there,scheming off SS ! Even the very own family members, Bravo,Bravo a job well 👏 👌 👍 done!
Stop the fraud 😤 😒
Ebs
The only fraud is DOGE
Paula B.
Yes
Marshall.S
If you try drawing money from ANY SSA account that isn’t YOURS, that is fraud. ANYONE drawing from SSA that hasn’t paid in, FRAUD. SSA, as FDR deceived ALL, the plan was take more hard earned $$$$$$. FDR knew most people, then, didn’t live much past 65. You will be told it is not a PONZI scheme because it is a a tax. BUT it functions the same as a PONZI scheme. Bernie Madoff got jailed for EXACTLY paying like SSA. Takeover from person A, give to person B !
Mike
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Cheryl C.
If ya have nothing to hide then why not. DOGE is far from the problem. DOGE is helping the “problems” to vanish. If you’re apart of the problem then yup, you’ll have a hard time showing up with your ID in your hand.
Because then your ‘fake ass hands’ will show up as being apart of the inside problem.
I’ve received SSI & SSDI since 2003, I have no problem finding a way in getting my grateful ass into the nearest SSA office with my ID in my hand, ASAP. 🤜 🤲 🤛
Thank you, — DOGD & ELON!! 👏
D. B.
Lora, I’m sure you meant unscrupulous (wrong doing).
At a high level this seems like a great plan to reduce fraud however, it does not take into account the many people living in rural areas with no SSA nearby and will have to travel to another city and wait in long lines. There are also disabled and elderly that simply CAN’T travel and there needs to be an option for these people.
And at the same time droves of government employees are being fired that would require MORE than usual Social Security employees in order to handle processing in-person requirements… it cripples the entire system. So dig under the surface and it appears to be a plan to fail the system and dissolve it Social Security benefits for everyone. Just think, all of the years we’ve put into this plan and we could lose our benefits forever. This hasty plan needs to be re-evaluated by people that actually KNOW what they’re doing.
Jer B.
Using technology can cut down significantly the number of paper pushers in the federal government thereby reducing the mandatory expenditures of the federal government. In case you were not paying attention, much of the paperwork is processed by hand and stored in paper files in a cave in PA.
John T.
Pure fear mongering. Read the SS rules and realize that these changes will not affect those already and legally receiving benefits. Changes in direct deposit should be verified. Waste and overspending is killing our future. Will these changes be difficult for some, yes. But these changes will make the system stronger. Try to understand the need for these changes.
Linda C.
Exactly right, D.B.! In theory, it sounds like an excellent plan but doesn’t anybody think about the “what ifs”? I sure hope they come up with some options/exceptions for those who are unable to follow these new directives.
Beth
Absolutely
B3
Absolutely
Leona L.
Yes,Yes,Yes!!!
Typo
They are attacking the elderly and disabled now…. Will you still be cheering when they come after you?
Donna. H.
Praise the Lord, Lora
Maybe you can come with an ambulance and take my bedridden husband to the Social Security office so he can keep receiving his benefits. I want to make sure you change him as he has loss of his bodily functions. He chokes on food so be sure and be prepared. You have no clue as to what you are saying just praise the Lord this doesn’t happen to you.
Joyce
Are you on social security? Probably not!!
S. W.
It appears this guidance for on-line, registration and mandatory in person identify verification affects individuals meeting either of two conditions, just as you correctly interpreted it:
1. newly approved recipients and
2. those existing recipients requiring a change to direct deposit accounts.
Established recipients are most rightly not superimposed upon ALL, 10’s of
millions beneficiaries, do the same would unnecessarily further burden and hamper clearing backlogs.
Mary E.
This is obviously a plan to cripple and dismantle our Social Security System and to rob citizens if SS benefits they and their employers have paid for their entire working lives. Recipients are usually elderly, disabled, or children and to require they present in person to verify their identity while laying off thousands of staff and closing hundreds of offices is ludicrous and cruel. Social Security fraud is almost non-existent. This administration wants to gut Social Security fund tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Then privatize it to further your heinous reverse Robin Hood scheme. No one is fooled. The level of corruption and greed is mind-boggling!
Adrienne V.
We just got rid of the most corrupt administration headed, figureheaded by the WORST president in American history!!! Thank God for the cleansing of our country!!! The current administration with its policies and leadership will be remembered as the greatest in US history. I’m amazed at how many people were fooled by Biden!!!
FDW
On what planet are you living?
Robin
Ahemmm, sorry, i just choked on something
Typo
Will you still be cheering when they come for you and you are negatively impacted by the self proclaimed king and his yes men?
Gene D.
Mary E, you are sorely misguided. You prefer making it more convenient for bad actors to rob the system and deny legitimate access to their benefits. If you think in person verification is inconvenient, consider the inconvenience of not get anything because of fraudulent claims.
Debbie F.
Your SS cannot be cut by anyone but your governor of your state. This is to cut out fraud and waste and there is billions of dollars in fraud and waste Social Security. Under Biden administration, the Chinese was able to hack inside the Social Security computers they have every SS number of every American. This administration is not destroying Social Security That’s a lie
Charlotte S.
🤣🤣🤣 WOW you are delusional!!
Cheryl C.
WOWweee how much more Delusional you are!
Mike
You’re nuts!
Gene
Well the Government has been using SS funds for political use. Ex. when Poliski use ss money to go after Trump. Just 1 example.
Dominic D.
Can you provide the regulation (CFR) that states this change?
It would be helpful to see the regulation.
Karen M.
I’m on Supplement social security. Been on it for years. I recently seen on line n on SSI blog counter ducting information. I visited Mount pleasant SSI building myself in person last Friday to show current drivers license. To In sure I’d get my benefit check in 4-1-25. The employee said it’s not required. To watch the news. I called again today n they said that’s media telling that about ppl. In SSI must go to SSI in person by 3-30-25. Or your check will be terminated. What should I do? If SSI won’t take my current drivers license to insure I get my benefits I. 4-1-25. My SSI online account I cannot access. Karen McFarlin. Plz respond. Ty in advance.
Debbie F.
Be careful listening to the news they like to make the Trump administration look bad over nothing. You can apply for an online Social Security account and you will be fine. If you have an online account the Social Security you don’t have to go in
Jay
finally someone with common sense.
Frank D.
Boy you got that right, just be thankful you don’t live in Illinois you’ll never here the truth from any tv news stations
Marc
So concerned about people’s personal information and identity, that they literally let no government agency take over and rummage through everyone’s personal information which I’m sure is being used against us. If they found so much fraud, where are the arrests?
Cheryl B.
You do not need to go unless you are NEW to getting social security. If you want to make a change like a new bank, then you might have to go in person. If you can prove who you are online you don’t go. When you do it on line you must take a picture of yourself and send it by internet.Then you take a picture of your drivers license and send it over internet
Lori K.
Um really, because I can do that for someone else and make them think it is me. Wow, you don’t know what you are talking about. That does not prove identity.
Jeffrey C.
The anxiety this is causing just within my family is unfortunate. The good citizens of the USA don’t need more misguided information. Do we go to SS office, we don’t go to the SS office.
I think I won’t have to stand in a 4 mile line, but just the possibility of this thought is getting my blood pressure up. God help this country, it seems it’s all a big mess in DC. In my 71 years this is a low point.
Kevin
Yep, 100000 people in line. This is insanity at its highest level.