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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Lorraine O.
Where do I send the completed SSA-L732 Social Security verification form?
Nealburell@gmail.com
What information am I required to update?
John F.
All the people who are commenting here are TRUMP MAGA shills trying to deny benefits to the payers into the SS system for over 45 years. That’s right. Login.gov cannot do photo recognition from a DL photo to validate a selfie image. DL must be current ? Really, what does that do ? Do I have to drive until I die ? ID.ME requires the same photos. However at least ID.ME actually works. And since when does a DL identify a person. Did I need a DL for the govt to start taking SS out of my pay ? This does not reduce fraud since DL can be forged. Same with passports, birth certificates, 2 pieces of mail to your current address. The only thing these Nazi tactics do is block / hinder real recipients from getting back what they paid into it. Whats the SS policy on “underpayment” ? Oh yeah, I forgot … tough luck sucker! And about that User “CLAMORING” for fraud protection, more Trump / MAGA BS. Absurd people. SS now run by Nazi’s !!
Claire H.
Please do not use the descriptor “Nazi’ to any person not tied to WWII, as it’s a misuse of the word.
We all have been lied to by many entities including private companies & corrupt government agencies – all done to incite hate & division among its citizens. We MUST work together now with honest intent & compassion to right what has been wrongly done.
An aside-I ran the financial side of a small family business in a town of 12,000 & the corrupt manipulation by a few immoral persons was the same as what is being unveiled by DOGE today.
Lori S.
TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME!! Would you rather the US go bankrupt? Get a grip!
Mari A.
I just want to say thank you! For keeping out the fraud, waste and abuse. For making sure the rightful recipients are getting the money.
Robert O.
Thank you for getting rid of the none qualifiers!
ronald c.
do I NEED TO PROVE MY identity
Deborah d.
Do I need to approve my identity
dennis e.
do i need to check my address wih ssi
Kevin
I understand your frustration at the new in person requirements. Please try to understand that for once they are actually doing something decent. I am on SSI due to being handicapped due to stroke. I cannot drive anymore so transportation to and from anywhere is a real issue. It’s hard for people in my situation to get pretty much everywhere and a non in person alternative is extremely helpful.
D.W.
” Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements” please consider having this statement or link appear on the main page of SSA.Gov.
Lynn
“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.”
Really? Great ! Then why not use these same ‘multiple opportunities’ to verify identity for ALL seniors? Why are millions of seniors forced to go to an office ? (if online does not work) When we know there will be chaos, backlog, wait, and impossible for many seniors to get there?
Why are most seniors less deserving of these opportunities to verify identity?
Why not allow seniors to verify identity thru mail; make extra security verify from bank, post office, etc.
Instead it is in person or nothing. No options.
Lynda
“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.”
Really? Great ! Then why not use these same ‘multiple opportunities’ to verify identity for ALL seniors? Why are millions of seniors forced to go to an office ? (if online does not work) When we know there will be chaos, backlog, wait, and impossible for many seniors to get there?
Why are most seniors less deserving of these opportunities to verify identity?
Why not allow seniors to verify identity thru mail; make extra security verify from banks, post office, etc.
Instead it is in person or nothing. No options.
Helena M.
Helena M. . I have been receiving SSA since 1992. My deposited, which always posts on the 3rd if each month, did not post this month. I have made no changes, and wonder why my check has not been deposited? Thank you for any assistance or suggestions. I am 98 yes old.
S.D.
Hi, Helena. We’re sorry to hear about your situation. Since you did not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
HugoKurtz
I have been caught in your “update your security ” loop. I use login.gov to get to MySS website, and you have informed me that I must use a cell phone to update my SS security. I tried, but my 16 digit very complex password is impossible to type into a phone’s keyboard. Changing between upper-lowercase, numbers, and special characters means i must get about 30 key strokes correct and my fat fingers makes it impossible. Additionally, the virus you sent to my cell phone locked it up until I powered down and restarted. Also, the login.gov link to SS was destroyed. The instructions also said I could go to a US Post Office to have my ID identified, which appears to a flat out lie. The US Post offices I talk to are not prepared for this task. Additionally, it is a two plus hour wait to talk to anyone on your public telephone, That’s not a benefit, it is a cruel joke. My phone hangs up in about an hour, maybe 90 minutes. So, my options are waste and hour travel time to get to the SS office and then probably another two hours to get this ridiculous problem you created solved. Some head honcho at your tech department needs to be fired. Where are you Mr Musk? You want me to take a picture on cell-phone. That’s the best you can do. I don’t use my cell-phone to log in, never will. Stay away from cell phone ! Evidently you can get the program to work on a computer, and you can’t provide the service from your offices.