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.
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L S.
Why after all these years hasn’t the monthly asset limit for disability been adjusted for inflation?! The asset limit is currently only $2,000 per month and the last time that was changed was in the 1980’s! If they updated it, it would be well over $10,000 now! WHY WOULD THE GOVERNMENT LET THIS GO FOR 40 YEARS? It took years for me to get approved for disability for my medical conditions, and guess what! The local office denied me because I am still a signer on my adult children’s checking accounts because that was required when they opened them in highschool when they were minors. The banks policy won’t let us remove my name, they have to close their accounts and open new ones, which isn’t that easy when you have had an account for a long time. So SSA has counted their money as my assets, which puts me over the measly $2,000 limit. That might have been a lot in the 1980s, but its not today! I have provided all proof possible to show that I never used their money and it shouldn’t be counted against me. I haven’t received a response from them. I also emailed the white house and any official I could find to get the asset limit adjusted for over 40 years of inflation. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE, THIS IS NOT PROTECTING AND PROVIDING FOR AMERICA’S DISABLED COMMUNITIES!
Catherine M.
What should I do if I did not receive my may 14 check
Grzegorz P.
For completion legal requirements and glue projects
Regenia b.
I keep getting a email to up social security the email looks real but I am afraid to open it what should I do
Richard K.
I have been trying to set up a new direct deposit account for months! wait time on phone, all different information as to how to do it (can not do on his web account). 4 different answers if he will get a paper retro check for Fairness Act being that he does not have direct deposit yet. No one knew if Real ID is required to enter SS building. 4 different answers if he can do on phone or in person is necessary. A nightmare trying to get what is due and owing to me.
quacy m.
eul;ick pinkard today ask me for my non driver license id to my social security benefits my Survivor benefits and still did nit hand be back my non driver license id
Jenifer
What happens if you do not complete the ID Me verification?
Kelly
No online service will be available. You have to prove who you are.