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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Gary H.
This sucks when readers read these ss updates there should be links that takes you direct to what is reference not having to tract the information down
Lori K.
I have a family member who is the widow of a 100% disabled vet. She has been calling SSA for days now to ask a few questions about her benefits. She is placed on hold for as long as 4 hrs then the phone will start to ring and eventually it just hangs up. Anyone have any suggestions on how she can get some help with questions? This has happened over and over again for days.
Don O.
What happens if you fail to sign the on line application for your social security benefits?
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DOTTIE A.
n/a
DOTTIE A.
none.
Judy M.
What if my sister’s husband is in a nursing home, unable to travel, his driver’s license and VA id have expired and my sister needs to update his direct deposit info??? We have tried NUMEROUS times to call but can never get an answer. We’re only able to visit him late in the day or weekends due to my job. Tried to set up online account before his id expired but got to the end and said unable to set up…call….. PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Yank
Call your congressman/women.
Disabled R.
Hi, you will need to access everything through the “online services” section list. Believe it or not, it is all there. I went through a similar situation, too. I’ve learned there is no one answering the phones now. You can go to your nearest SSA office– ours doesn’t give appointments for questions concerning benefits. It’s first come, first served and they open at 0800. It’s definitely not a good system, but you can learn to navigate it, as we all will. Good luck!