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.
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.
Dawn
I believe that most Fraud comes from the SSDI benefits! How will an over-the-phone interview verify identity? I have worked in the public sector with clients on SSDI who should never have been approved in the first place! Many that I have encountered are physically and mentally capable of working! This needs to change! Some oh those clients spend that SSDI money on alcohol and drugs! On client was flipping houses, making 5k a month under his sister’s company name! Makes SS admission look like fools!
Lynn A.
I am already receiving ss but do not believe I have a my ss account. Does this mean I have to open a my ss security account or do I have to make an appointment? Either/or, or both? Is it too late to open a my ss account?originally I went to my local office and signed up in person.
Jean f.
I already have my social security benefits since 62 years old …do I need to verify? Do I need to come in the office to still get my checks..can you let me ..and what documents do I need to bring to get verify….? ..I cane in the office when I started my retirement in 9 years ago .let me know please
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Jean. 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.
Tracy F.
My question is very simple and unanswered anywhere on this useless site.
Can my mother expect her money to be direct deposited to her account every month or do we need to do something now before the “new” date.
C.B.
Hi, Tracy. Thanks for reading our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your mom’s identity if she’s not applying for cash benefits and if she’s not changing her direct deposit information. She will continue to receive her benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove her identity. We hope this clears up any confusion.
Jeff b.
Well, once I became disabled it took me over 2 years to get my case in front of a judge. It cost me $6000, and quite frankly I had to do damn near all of the work. This was several years back. I cannot imagine how difficult it is going to be now with less people to help, and an administration that seems to believe the elderly, disabled, and children don’t deserve assistance, and SS already had a policy of denying the first attempt. Sad times we are living and I fear it’s going to get worse before, or even if it can get better.
Geo.
Social Security has been operating like a well oil machine. Very few people that I know or have talked to have had any complaints over the years about how Social Security has been run now for some reason you have decided to create chaos and the system. This is only going to create added administrative costs which will go against the fund. Get musk and his group away from Social Security and put it back into the charge of the oversight committees.
Susan L.
I will be 69 in Aug. I never got my soc. Sec. Check yet. What do I have to do? I have been on soc. Sec. My check has never been late.
C.B.
Hi, Susan. Thank you for reading our blog and for your question. If you did not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.
Doris
I am the caretaker for my 84 year old mother who is currently on Hospice. She has been collecting Social Security Disability since she was 47. There is no way I can get her to an office. Her SS is automatically deposited into her bank account and her bills are automatically drafted. What are her options?
Debra H.
What does someone who is retired and have multiple health issues have to be on oxygen 24/7 along with heart problems and a long list of health issues need to do?
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Debra. There is no need to do anything. The person will continue to receive their benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove their identity. We hope this helps.
Susan L.
I will be 69 in Aug. I never got my soc. Sec. Check yet. What do I have to do?
Mike
You probably need to go apply for it.