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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Harriet W.
Should all Social Security retirement people sign into my Social Security account system?
If so will they get personal E-mails from SS providing updated. information?
Will this take the place of paper mail?
Will this site be subject to getting hacked? Do I have to do anything to secure this private information?
Ralph M.
What is a person to do if social security is the only income they have to live on (rent food) and so on. that is the only money many of us have nothing else no family no friends nothing what so ever I guess the only thing to do is under those circumstances is just die or turn to crime, in order to survive I can guarantee complete chaos and high crime..if you think is bad now you have no idea… people are capable of committing all kinds of things especially when hungry homeless pissed off, you haven’t seen nothing yet…. Complete chaos…
Eric C.
Several times in the article about identity the people that the government is serving were referred to as customers I am not a customer I’m a citizen of the USA my government serves me we the people for the people how dare you refer to me as a customer as USA born citizen AND PATRIOT of this country the government is there to serve us a citizens of the United States. You are our civil servants I am not your customer how dare you
Dawn B.
I do NOT give permission for my data to be shared with DOGE Or ELON MUSK.
This is notice that their activity has already inflicted great harm and injury for which SS recipients of all programs have legal cause and grounds to sue, based on the anxiety alone and also many other causes.
You are on notice.
Michelle H.
I do NOT give permission for my data to be shared with DOGE Or ELON MUSK.
This is notice that their activity has already inflicted great harm and injury for which SS recipients of all programs have legal cause and grounds to sue, based on the anxiety alone and also many other causes.
You are on notice.
Nellie W.
Do I need to do anything if I already get S S
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Nellie. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Drew H.
I have been on Social Security since 2010 and I could count on it. Now so much news and insecurity. Fraud and streamlining cost is necessary but not with a sledgehammer!!
Now it’s hard to even get updates from the SSA website since it’s “temporarily not working “???
Lydia R.
Ya era hora de que limpiaran tanta corrupción
C.B.
Hi, Lydia. For information in Spanish, please visit our Spanish blog. You can also find information in Spanish at http://www.segurosocial.gov, and Administración del Seguro Social http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial. Thanks!
Tina
Why am I being given different information from social security representatives and they didn’t try to take my information over the phone and set a deadline for paperwork to be returned that was not even fair. This is wrong.
Jason
Last I checked I didn’t give Elon Musk permission to access my personal information nor did I elect him to do so and I don’t give you the right to give out my personal information and medical records
Harvey
You may view Elon as DC’s Lex Luthor but I view him as Reed Richards. And anyway, this is not about Elon. It is about how tose before us have taken advantage of us and failed at upholding the promises made. A room that was once clean and airy over time with laziness and abuse grows dingy, stuffy and dirty. The clean-up is never fun but when it is done, happiness returns to be in a clean room. Elon is the cleaning person. If you wish to be angry, try pointing it at those who partied in the room and left it a mess.
Bernie W.
Look jackass , nobody gave Elon Musk permission to access millions of people’s personal data and the authority to implement these bs policies except the arrogant president Trump who is also ruining this country with all of his illegal executive orders. Take a look in the mirror and tell me if you really believe that all of this DOGE nonsense is going to solve the problem or is it for the benefit of the billionaires who have secretly conspired to control this country .
Michelle
Bullshit
T. G.
Where do you get your facts and information about so called dirty, dusty rooms that need to be aired? Do you really know how much social security fraud there actually is? When objective reports are saying there’s more of what’s called improper payments. Where recipients are either under paid or over paid. Of which a certain percentage is recovered. And furthermore, when you read about figures as high as $570 billion and higher of fraud, that’s not about social security fraud, but about overall governmental fraud over a certain period of time. So, you see, it’s easy to distort the facts using figures. Therefore, as to real social security fraud, the actual amount cannot be determined. Since it’s all based on estimated figures rather than hard data. And is more than likely a much smaller amount that doesn’t warrant the current hysteria being manufactured by Elon Musk!
Pamela u.
I agree so much with this statement 🙏🏻🥰❤️
Clint O.
Maybe try following the law as you “clean up” fraud, waste, and abuse. Maybe you have heard of the constitution and how it explains how the government is supposed to work such as Congress controlling the power of the purse and deciding which agencies and items to fund. You have to go through Congress to due what Elon is doing but for some reason they don’t think the law applies to them. Maybe that’s why the judges keep ruling against them.
Is S.
Well said
Geff K.
Nor did you give permission to any other Administrative employee working and processing records at the Social Security Administration. Musk is just another government employee at this point whose responsibilities include reviewing systems and financial abuses at the federal level. I am pretty sure that you did not elect Lois Lerner either, but she not only had access to your records but has a proven record of abusing the system.
Alyssa R.
The Government already knows all your business. Elon wasn’t elected ..he was appointed. DOGE is finding waste and fraud ..are you afraid your account is fraudulent 🤔.
Wake up, we finally have someone in office with a brain and who cares about the country.
Regina
Y’all this is for NEW APPLICATIONS ONLY!!! And for updating/ changing personal information, including changing the bank account number for direct deposit.
Seniors ALREADY receiving SS retirement benefits DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING!!! This should be the FIRST statement on this website!!!!
Can you imagine if this applied to ALL CASES, INCLUDING EXISTING RECIPIENTS?? Even the oligarchy in charge is not that inefficient.
Lordy!! Carry on.
Marie
Thanks for the info that’s exactly what I wanted to read.
Jan
The various resources ‘fed,” to the public is doing a great job with these balls of confusion. Besides Elon, who can make it plain??
Judy
THANK YOU Regina, for clarifying “this is for new applications only”. I was scratching my head trying to figure that piece out. The messaging from “headquarters” is constantly changing and confusing. Again that you for your accurate input. Very appreciated!! L
Claudette
Thanks for clarifying ! Typical government foo paw ! Your right, this should have been the very first line in every article !
Christiana H.
I’ve been getting Social Security for several years and I was worried about this. Thanks for clarifying this. I would have to go 30 miles one way to get to an office. Because of a fall, I have to use a wheelchair and I’m in a lot of pain. I live alone and can’t drive now. I’m sure there are people that are bedridden or have Dementia. They can’t go in person to a S.S.A office.