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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Julia S.
What do I need to do to change my direct deposit account? Same bank different account
Thank you
JS
Jacki
If you can’t update it online, then you have to go in person.
S.D.
Hi, Julia. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you get Social Security benefits, the most convenient way to change your direct deposit is through your personal my Social Security account. To learn more, check out our Update Direct Deposit webpage. If you cannot use our online my Social Security services to change your direct deposit information, you will need to visit a Social Security office to verify your identity and process the change. You’ll also need to visit an office to update your direct deposit details if you get Supplemental Security Income. To schedule an in-office appointment, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information about our new identity verification procedures, please visit our What to Know about Proving Your Identity webpage. We hope this helps.
Randall V.
I’ve been receiving SSDI for several years. My address and direct deposit info. are current with the Social Security Administration. Is there any need for me to have to prove my identity in order to continue receiving my benefits?
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Randall. 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.
Paula m.
Yes
She
Omg no
Marybeth L.
It’s like the old days. In the 1990s had to go to offices take a number and wait your turn. Or call to make an appointment.
Christopher B.
Why is bank info missing from ssi account nothing has changed so should not need to verify id please explain info for my son for whom I am caring for him he both medically and mentaly in need
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove you or your son’s identity. If you both get benefits, you both will continue to receive benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Mike C.
How long does it take for Social Security Now to update any new Banking and account changes? Is it 7 to 10 business days 30 to 60 days or one day and once they implement it how long does it take to get my check because I was supposed to receive it today and they just had to rechange it today because they had got an error in the routing number thank you
L L.
My 97 y/o father-in-law is supposed to get his Social Security direct deposit on April 1st – and his credit union showed that was the pending deposit date until sometime mid-morning on April 1, when the pending deposit changed to be April 3rd. What is up here?
Lori K.
I would check with your bank. What that means is that the deposit has been received from SSA and is in the banks queue. Once the banks program runs that makes the actual deposit into his account the status will update. Sometimes that does take 24-48 hrs before the money is actually available from him to withdraw. Before I retired I worked for a company that created these programs so that is how it works at most banks.
C.B.
Hi, L Lee. Thank you for reading our blog and for your question. If your father-in-law still has not received his electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact his bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.
Judith P.
If I do go to the Social Security office, what will I need to bring with me to verify my identity? I’ve been married and divorced twice, changed my name twice on my SS card since the name on my Birth certificate. I have a Real ID drivers licence but it expires soon and DMV says I can’t renew in person. I’m old, and I don’t exactly look like I did when my Drivers license pic was taken. Do I need a passport? What if my DL or Passport expires? Do I need to be fingerprinted? What if someone steals my identity? Also, I don’t have Internet at home, it costs too much because my rent keeps increasing too much. Do I need a bill, like an electric bill with my name and address on it? What if I want to change my direct deposit bank account? What would I need to prove it? If I can’t drive to an office, how am I supposed to get to the office? My son lives in another state and works all day. My daughter works and has a special needs child and is a single parent. I live in a large apt complex now and don’t know my neighbors or have close friends willing to drive me anywhere. I live alone. I did have a phone appointment with SSA two years ago to switch from Survivor Benefits. Took 40 days, but SSA never called me. I had to get my congressman’s office involved.
NAGENDRANATH
You need active driver license or passport which is active. They need picture ID. You have to call your nearest social security office and need to make an appointment.
C.B.
Hi, Judith. Thanks for using our blog. 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. 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.
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Robot!
ex: b.
i submitted a comment, please note ex: name is B Mitchell please change to Barbara M.
ex: b.
i called our local office for social security. I was on hold for more than 1 hour. The women who helped me said if I am making no changes to my address or my direct deposit I would not have to make an appointment to provide identity verification.
KENNETH P.
I log onto my social security account go on profile but doesn’t show anything about my direct deposit info
krystal
same with me or caseworker has a busy single or when you leave a message and call back about 5 mths been trying to get a hold to him couple time through the weeks. because the one time I did get a hold of the case worker it was late and the was already about to leave for the day so he told me to be by the phone at 4:30 the next day never called.we evin went to the mane office he got the same run around and still cant get no corporation or held to resolve.
BAJ
Great!! Thank you for sharing this. I just came to the website looking for some information because if they’re going to roll this new thing out where you have to go to a Social Security office to prove your identity, I wanted to get ahead of the 8 ball. Lines will be long, and when you’re a senior…. you can’t stand in line for even 30 minutes. So my husband and I are both collecting Social Security, we both have our checks direct deposited into our bank account, and none of our banking information or mailing address has changed. So I’m under the impression we are good to go!! This blog has taken some of the anxiety away from worrying about how to get to a Social Security office, and how we were gonna go about doing this. Good to know we’re grandfathered in.
Jim L.
My mother receives SS death benefits from my father’s passing. She’s 90 and has dementia in a home. Do I need to still register her for identity as she already gets them electronically transferred to her account?
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Jim. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your mom’s identity. Her payee will continue to receive her benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove her identity. We hope this helps.
LVD
Today, my account says that I am not receiving benefits but I have not been notified of any change to my benefits. It shows no upcoming April information as if I’ve not been a SSI recipient.
Has this happened to anyone else here this month? I’m wondering if this was an accident with all the DOGE changes?
Ghostface
Mine says that as well and I sent to daa office and they opened and said they would not b open today because they have no employees and don’t know when they will be open again
Christopher B.
yes it has and why no change in anything
Chalea M.
SS… What is the deadline for beneficiaries to prove who they are. It clearly states when it started. When do people get cut off from benefits if they dont follow the instructions? Seeing these are elderly people with limited resources, long lines, closed buildings and lack of digital capabilities – so we as family can be prepared. We realize this is going to be quite the undertaking and would like to prioratize this.