Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements
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 for millions of Americans against fraudulent activity. In-person identity proofing for people unable to use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April 14, 2025.
“We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country’s most vulnerable populations,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “In addition to extending the policy’s effective date by two weeks to ensure our employees have the training they need to help customers, Medicare, Disability, and SSI applications will be exempt from in-person identity proofing because multiple opportunities exist during the decision process to verify a person’s identity.”
Under the updated policy beginning April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who cannot use a personal my Social Security account can complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office.
Individuals who cannot use their personal my Social Security account to apply for benefits will only need to prove their identity at a Social Security office if applying for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits. SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing or in-person identity proofing for these cases. The agency will not enforce these requirements in extreme dire-need situations, such as terminal cases or prisoner pre-release scenarios. SSA is currently developing a process that will require documentation and management approval to bypass the policy in such dire need cases.
Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to change their direct deposit information for any benefit will need to visit a Social Security office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment. The agency also recommends that individuals unable to apply online call to schedule an in-person appointment to begin and complete a claim for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits in one interaction.
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.
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 safeguarding the benefits and programs it administers. SSA plans to implement the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of 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. SSA will continue to fight fraud while balancing its program integrity responsibilities with delivering on its customer service mission to the American people.
People who do not already have a my Social Security account can create one.
Stay up to date about SSA’s identity proofing requirements and exceptions at What to Know about Proving Your Identity | SSA.
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Roslyn
The news, social media which no one should believe says EVERYONE MUST verify identity in-person. SSA Representatives says that’s no true and no one has come in. Now your Blog is confusing. We do have to come in but only some people – applying for retirement.
Noneya
It looks like to me that the critically ill, terminally ill, and people that cannot report due to being in prison still, etc as the article states, are exempt. People that can physically go in person will be required to do so. As it should be. The fraud is huge and needs to be stopped.
Andrea
To my understanding, we have to go into an office to open a new application, to apply for spousal, survivor’s, or auxiliary benefits, but we have the choice to set up and use an account through my social security.gov to update account info OR call a local office to schedule an in-person appointment, updates include changing direct deposit info, changing address or phone number, or any other similar changes. I called my local office and was told this information directly.
Regina M.
THIS ONLY APPLIES TO ****NEW APPLICANTS**** AND THOSE MAKING ***CHANGES***!!!
It says it right on THIS website in their FAQ (frequently asked questions)”:
https://www.ssa.gov/news/identity-proofing.html?tl=2
Does everyone need to prove their identity with Social Security?
No. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove identity if ***not applying for benefits and if not changing*** direct deposit information for current benefits. 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 applying for benefits or changing direct deposit information for existing benefits, the secure and most convenient way to prove identity is with Social Security’s online services using a personal my Social Security account.
Angela
Thank You Regina, I was wondering why a notice didn’t come in the mail if everyone had to show up in person.
Gail D.
The collective “WE” should be implementing policies and procedures that make it easier and simpler, not more difficult, for people over 55 and those with disabilities to collect the social security benefits they earned and/or are entitled to. These proposed changes are shameful…targeting the elderly and disabled.
Noneya
Did you not read the article? Your TDS doesnt excuse you from stating facts. If you can physically go in person, you should go in person to prove who you are. The fraud is real and extreme.
Michelle
Noneya got no sense.
Brainwashed at work
SCF
SSI fraud is less than 1%. That is not extreme by any measure.
FRANK C.
why can’t we b told when its coming to our bank I’m 77 years old like to find things out before it’s too late
Kim
I get notified every month about my deposit being made and have since the first check. I do direct deposit, and even get paid early every month. I initially was told my deposit would be on a certain day each month. After the first month, I got a notice stating that the deposit was made. I hope that someone can help you set up the notifications.
Bettie R.
Thank you, this is a reassuring email. I have been somewhat concerned about the recent reduction in staffing and changes that could impact access to services for senior citizens.
Tony M.
This has become a sham to make Social Security self-implode and eventually inaccessible for the elderly and disabled. My grandmother is in her 80s and had no problem with her benefits all these years, so why create any? We should be protected from your administration’s fraudulent behavior!
douglas a.
what is going to be done to spped up the phone answering time?
Brenda L.
They’re getting rid of the phone system .
USA.
Try calling your local field office, instead of the 800 number. The 800 number takes forever, while your local office is usually much faster.
Donald M.
My grandmother is computer illiterate, does not drive and is really too poor to take a taxi. What is she supposed to do if something gets screwed up with her measly soc sec check? Stay in her chair trying to negotiate a phone call tree while she starves? Maybe you should make Musk test all this out 1st! This is an abominable way to treat our senior citizens who have worked all their lives!
Gary N.
What to do? Be family! Help her. Government can’t do everything and I don’t want it to.
The government (and AARP) should be advocating for three generations of family to get along better, not to continue to add more benefits that only hasten the time until Social Security (and Medicare) can no longer pay the obligations they took on without a way to pay for them.
Government is soulless. Family can and should care for Ione another. Get counseling and prepare each generation from a young age to care for their elders.
For those deciding not to have kids: there are more long-term adverse consequences than you can imagine!
Tammy
I so agree with you
Maggie
I strongly agree, we the American citizens of this country are going to be screwed due to the mischiefs of the SSA administration system that messed up many many years ago by not implementing a better person verification application system to prove the entities. So now we the people of this country have to pay for their incompetence. 🤦♀️
Noneya
Maybe her family should help her? By the way, SS is based on income that she had during her working years. Its not SS department that is withholding money that is owed. She is getting the amount that she worked for. If Grandma is so poor, the why isnt her family helping her? Typical of the left to blame everyone else.
Michelle
You’re the problem.
Ignorance in action
Coy
Would my wife be eligible to get more money by drawing from my ssi.
Centrist
Depends on who made more money and how long she was with you and how old she is. But yes it’s possible she could make more using your income instead of hers.
Kim
That something that you would have to talk to an actual person at the SS office or on the phone, after you provide your information so they know what you paid into SS during your working years. Your wife can draw from your SS after you passed away. If your income and what you paid in to SS was more than hers was, then she would get more under SS Survivors Benefits, formerly Widows Benefits. Hope this helps.
M W.
Poor, poor management of one of the important agencies in our country. Make an announcement…see if it flies…if not, revamp bc of the outcry from people and retract. Unbelievable.
Most of us live and LEARN. How many more ill-fated decisions will be made by this administration OR by the unelected guy from NOT-America before yall understand you are causing more distress and problems than you are fixing?
Who cuts THOUSANDS of employees yet promises better customer service?
Good grief.
Concerned
Included in that are 1/3 of the computer staff that are responsible for the electronic benefit distribution. They had to work extended hours to give everyone the cost of living increase, but somehow we need 1/3 less of them. Social Security is being attacked form all sides. It is the lowest staffing in 50 years, with baby boomers collecting all at once, they fire people instead of hire people.
Centrist
It was already a mess, I agree with that but in this business you cant risk grandmas check. Very much unlike the rich elite who it seems 500 billion in profit in 5 years wasn’t enough for the already golden spoon fed rich kid.. be better Republicans be better.
Brenda
Liars
SANJUANITA S.
Very well said!! I agree
Noneya
Any business that makes a wise decision to trim the fat when its going under is just smart business. The previous administration has us sinking in astronomical debt. The government offices are WAY over-staffed and lazy, working from home doing basically nothing. If you can’t document what you have done in the last 5 days at work, then you should be let go. :-/
Michelle
Why aren’t you working right now?
Patrick P.
Access to my Social Security account has become increasingly difficult. The .gov ID rejects my attempts to use it to establish ID. The SS office cannot help because it is managed by a 3rd party contractor. I have not yet been able to connect with the Help line. As you surely know, requirements of telephonic or in-person contact with an SS office staffer will become every more difficulty, because of the staff reductions and office-closing you have effected or planned.
Tad
Asinine
keno
It ashame we do not focus the disabled not disabled cheating us all. There are people collecting full pensions WITH insurance and disability on your dime. I have heard of people suing SS after hand surgery and then making Thousands cash under the table doing manual labor. Or now cleaning houses (cash) and sitting behind a retail counter because they have incontinence and cant sit behind the federal office counter. And yes taking tax payers money while collecting a full pention and insurance. Maybe worry about the millions we now have makeup. It is a sin!!