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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CLARA C.
AM I GOING TO GET MORE MONEY I HAVE HEARD ABOUT. I NEED MY MONEY TO HELP ME TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE. HELP ME TO CLEAR MY OLD BILLS. SO I DON’T LEAVE BEHIND NO DEBTS FOR MY KIDS.
ROB B.
How do we go about registering a love one when SSA does not recognize POA and DPOA. My sister is wheelchair bound and has Dimanche. It is funny every state in the union, IRS every form of government except SSA recognizes POA and DPOA. How will this work?
Brian
What about those who cannot travel? I guess the disabled should just suck it up I guess?This isn’t going to help and you all know it. As an organization you should stand up for those who support you.
Margie
Great step in the right direction! Eliminating fraud will protect us all. Thank you!
Laurie
Do these new changes apply to those of us already receiving Social Security benefits?
I believe these changes are in part a result of the DOGE perpetuation of misinformation regarding fraud in the social security system.
Think of the burden to families who are not computer savvy AND the burden to those who work for the Social Security Administration. For example I had 4 family members with severe dementia, including one to whom I was a caregiver. All were elderly and were receiving Social Security benefits having worked their whole lives, before their dementia. This is a tremendous burden and a reactionary policy based on DOGE’s lies about Social Security fraud.
Francisco F.
Hopefully this can expedite the SSD,SSI and regular SS claims and drastically shorten the waiting periods to receive the benefits needed.
Thomas E.
It’s going to take me two months to get an appointment on the phone. They don’t have enough people in now so you’re going to cut a bunch of people are you f****** crazy. You can’t be that stupid Doge
Linda B.
Do you have come in to change deposit or can we do it on line. I changed mine online about week and 1/2 ago. How long does it take to change from one to another one.
Let me know PLEASE.
T P.
Sure, this helps to require to go to field office. Your closing the one near me. This is just another way to keep us from getting our benefits when there is a problem. Just like the insurance industry 3 D’s.
Bobby L.
I’m bit old school. I prefer doing any kind of business in person. Having dealt with Ssa for my parents and sometimes grandparents, it can be very frustrating. I prefer in person because I’m looking at the person who is helping me and I get to know everything in writing. I don’t trust computers in my business and I don’t have no faith in using a phone. A phone with an answering service is nothing more than a procrastination or a waste of time for blowing someone off. This is the what an employee has for an attitude; I will get to it when I am ready and it’s not my problem they will call again if it’s dire enough and leave you strung along round and round on a referral. I hope that the ssa will have a good transition in making improvements.