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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Don B.
I do not trust anything SSA does that is recommend buy the current administration. The head of SSA lacks the experience.
Mary K.
Sounds like a good plan. Thanks for all y’alls help
John D.
The morons in this country just put an idiot in charge and the idiot in charge put a billionaire in charge of our data and our money. The real waste and corruption that should be bled out of our government is in the White House.
Diane T.
I’m trying to assist my daughter whose SSA Disability benefits were suspended and she is lacking her Medicare Insurance and payments. She has MS and her treatments are being held due to the errors of the administration. She has provide all the necessary paperwork to support her benefits and continues to be told that the delay continues due to staffing. In the interim her MS treatments are being delayed due to the Medicare part of her SSA Disability. She has spent hours on the phone and has gone in to the office with no results.
Is there anything you can do to help?
I’ve called the local Congressional staff and have gotten nothing but lip service.
Please help.
Miss H.
I am so glad that you are taking in considered considered the people and the older people who cannot get into this office identity stuff we need somebody to stand up for the people and know what’s right I don’t think I carried president understands that there are people out here that needs those services and some people that just rely on what they are receiving and that the economy is is has changed
Telsia P.
Excited about being able to speak to a SSA employee in person
Clyde W.
Trying to contact but unable
Dona K.
I’ve written to Social Security about not paying at the retirement amount when born in 1954 at 66. They didn’t start paying until 69. That is 3 years after they should have been paying at the retirement age. However, I haven’t gotten a response.
Donald J.
For older people without a computer or cellphone and no friends or relatives to help them. How will they get help especially since you are cutting staff?
Will their checks still get mailed on time?
Maybe an online tutoring for those who can help, and a mailed information check list? Don
Sylvia C.
Great remark!