The Social Security Administration (SSA) will soon require millions of Americans to potentially verify their identity in person, even as the federal government plans on closing offices nationwide and has cut thousands of the agency’s jobs as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s slashing of the federal workforce, all of which could create a perfect storm for elderly and disabled Americans who rely on Social Security to survive.
The agency said the new rules, which are aimed at limiting “fraudulent activity” for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes, go into effect in the next two weeks on March 31. However, accusations of widespread Social Security fraud made by President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk have been roundly debunked. (In fact, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has said the false accusations are “intended to lay the groundwork” to cut benefits.)
In a statement, the SSA explained: “Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal ‘my Social Security’ online account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person.”
These changes could be particularly devastating for some retirees who are eligible to collect Social Security, including those who are unable to use the internet, elderly Americans in rural areas who live far from SSA offices, and those with disabilities and mobility issues who can’t walk or drive to in-person appointments.
How to start or update a Social Security claim after March 31
If you receive Social Security or have a family member who might be affected by these changes, here’s what you need to know.
Starting March 31, Americans who start a benefits claim on the telephone cannot complete a claim until verifying their identity in person. The SSA recommends requesting an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction.
Individuals who wish to change their direct deposit information can do so using the agency’s online “my Social Security” services. Those who cannot use the online service will need to visit a local office to process the change, or call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment. People who do not already have a “my Social Security” account can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
It’s just the latest change from the SSA to hit American seniors, and comes after the Trump administration recently announced it will revert back to withholding up to 100% of an individual’s benefit check in an attempt to claw back overpayments. (As Fast Company previously reported, this reverses a plan under President Joe Biden which capped that withholding at 10%, so seniors who received overpayments wouldn’t have to experience a huge blow to their monthly income.)
It also comes a month after DOGE was found attempting to access private, personal taxpayer data at the SSA, which reportedly led the acting head of the agency to resign.
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