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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Rita T.
I think it’s a great system. Anything that rallies to keep the American people safe and better protected from criminals is a plus in my book!
Janet C.
How can we do if we live in Spain?
Mi k.
Screw that it should be illegal to make it harder
Tom M.
How are expats living in other countries supposed to do an “in person” identity check?
Do we need to fly back to the US just to validate ourselves in person?
MAYBE_USE_A_US_EMBASSY
I don’t have an official answer, but I’d suggest contacting or visiting a US Embassy & asking them for assistance with this.
To the SSA: if this is not possible NOW, MAKE IT POSSIBLE to “verify in-person” at any US Embassy.
Max
This paired with the reduction of staff and local offices is a highly illogical move. Updates are necessary, but should be implemented in a manner that prioritizes the needs of whom they apply to.
Allowing those applicants and members in question who cannot access the online account system or feasibly make an in-person appointment in a reasonable timeframe to fall through the cracks instead of receiving proper services fails to meet this standard.
Jim b.
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Larry f.
What if everything is good with me do stell need to go prove my ID
Tracy F.
I already have direct deposited. Do I have to change anything?
Norma B.
This is what we have come to expect from the department of “efficiency” act first ask questions later. So many mistakes in the figures being used to claim “fraud” that the efficiency experts need to be audited. I denounce the access to my personal records by DOGE.
Ayodele M.
Excellent step, kudos, cheers