Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: April 25, 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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: General Information
See CommentsAbout the Author
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Denise L.
I went to the social security office back in March very beginning of March I brought everything to prove who I was and when I talked to the guy at the window and they called my number he said the ones that are already on social security do not have to prove who they are cuz you’ve already brought in all your proof they know who you are
Mark B.
How do officials at Social Security respond to Former Social Security commissioner Martin O’Malley’s assertion that Social Security Payments Could Face Interruptions In May, that some retirees could miss their May benefit checks and that Social Security could collapse within 30 – 90 days? O’Malley is putting ALL of the blame on DOGE.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/social-security-payments-could-face-000938855.html
K. C.
These are steps to prevent fraud folks, or do you not care that a program that was set up generations ago needs a refresh to remain solvent? People collecting money at 160 years old come on now!!!
Susan
Would also like to know more information regarding getting on line. Have been on SS since 11/2019. Went to a SS office to sign up. No problems. Do I have to get on SS web site ? My email is all small case. Would not let me enter correctly.
Ken
I see a nightmare comming.we all need to go buy a new computer with windows 11 on it or you won’t be able to login here..All printers and laptops will be useless.Also any program or virus scanner you bought with lifetime code won’t work anymore.Now ssa wants to force us to do this crap.I hope I’ll be dead by then.Mybe this is why my bro died.killed himself
Betty C.
Must we switch to Login.gov to continue receiving payments? A retired colleague just informed me that this was mandatory for anyone who had not registered on the SS website before 2021. Supposedly, if this was not done all payments would stop as of May 2025.
Ken
Finally someone that knows the real truth. Like I just posted.I see a big mess comming and we can thank the GOVERNMENT and Microsoft for killing the world,like they are doing.
David R.
What ID documents are needed? Nowhere is a list of required docs listed.
Denise L.
Driver license with your current address on it, birth certificate if you have it
Suk R.
I read an article that said all who enrolled already must have their identification verification in person. Is this correct? I have been collecting SS for about four years. Thank you.
Rosa m.
Why that is not right
Laura B.
I am confused! I recently started getting SS checks. Do I need to go online/or an SS ofc or go a SS office with documents? Also my husband has been receiving SS checks for 10 years. Does he too need to go with proof? Leave it to republicans to cause confusion.
Doug
Seems like nobody knows. Why is this not on any news channels? Not even any mention when logged into account at ssa.gov.
Jen
I had a phone appointment on April 7th. Took the day off because my brother isn’t well enough to do his own application and they never called. Put my number in as a call back that day and they still didn’t call back. Called SSA office scheduled an appointment for in person on 5/21 the soonest they could get me in and they sent a notice in the mail that they changed my appointment to a phone appointment which I DID NOT want! Time is of the essence because I can’t submit retirement without disability certificate so that he can continue his health benefits through his local. WHAT GIVES?!?!