Additional Coverage:
Social Security to Require In-Person or Online Identity Verification
Starting March 31st, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will require individuals to verify their identity either online or in person for benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Phone verification will no longer be accepted.
While individuals can still initiate benefit claims over the phone, the SSA says claims cannot be fully processed until in-person identity verification is complete. The agency recommends scheduling an in-person appointment to streamline this process.
This change will impact over 72 million Americans and coincides with planned closures of at least 47 Social Security field offices, primarily in rural communities across several states, according to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The closures and the discontinuation of the Affordable Connectivity Program in June 2024, which provided discounted internet services, will make accessing these services more challenging for some beneficiaries.
According to DOGE, this shift aims to combat direct deposit fraud, a problem attributed to individuals fraudulently changing bank account information over the phone. To further enhance security and efficiency, the SSA will implement the Treasury Department’s Account Verification Service for instant bank verification. This service will also expedite direct deposit change requests to one business day, down from the previous 30-day processing time for online requests.
Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Lee Dudek, stated that these changes represent a move away from “antiquated methods” of identity verification, ultimately better protecting Americans while improving service. The SSA has committed to monitoring the impact of these changes and making adjustments as needed to ensure accurate and timely benefit payments.