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.
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George
I don’t get this wasn’t the idea to get people back to work? Instead, people are being terminated and less services for the elderly. Trump is breaking the promise about not touching SS or medicare. The ripple effect will hurt vets and the elderly. Disappointed.
Kareen K.
I’m confused. I’m 84 and have been collecting SS via direct deposit. Do I still have to visit an office to continue receiving benefits?
C.B.
Hi, Kareen. Thanks for using our blog. 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 clears up any confusion.
Raymond M.
How do I get a proof of income through the S SA
C.B.
Hi, Raymond. Thanks for reading our blog. We’re sorry to hear this. If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you can print your benefit verification letter by using your personal my Social Security account. You can also use our automated telephone service by calling 1-800-772-1213. The service is available 24/7. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a benefit verification. For more information about other automated services, visit Using Our Automated Telephone Services. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this information is helpful.
Shirley L.
The media is twisting the info.
Please make it clear the in person identification is for first timers applying for soc sec benefits and does my apply to those already receiving soc sec.
Larry
You must make it clearer whether those of us who DO NOT want to make a change and are alreading collecting have to appear in person. Your description as it stands is very confusing. All of us, or just when applying or changes need to be made?
Linda B.
I Really don’t if I have a social security account
Birgit k.
It’s hart to only change your address online, since I live in Germany and can’t make a my social security account, everything has stayed the same, only my living address has changed,
So ,help me!!!!!
Tex
I have the best idea for fixing the whole SSA problem. The government needs to repay all the money that President Reagan borrowed along with every other President since then with interest and the cost of inflation. Next all the people in government need to quit calling SSA, SSI, SSDI, etc. entitlements because people have worked hard and have paid for this program since it was started back in the 40’s by President Roosevelt. Yes I am on SSDI now and I’m only 54 years old, but I have worked very hard all my life and it took it’s toll on my skeleton. Lastly Elon Musk needs to be deported out of the country and banned for life, because he is an out of touch and paranoid man who just wants to gut programs that help anyone he deams as lower class. This is how to fix SSA along with government keeping their hands off it ” no more hands in the cookie jar “.
Ursula K.
Are you deleting comments? I just posted one and now it’s gone.
Ursula K.
If this is making government more efficient then I shudder to think what you making things more complicated must look like.
You are making things more difficult and going in every direction.
Your explanations and instructions are confusing at best and more than plentiful.
The streamlining you are talking about – ha – you must be talking about the system Before You got involved.
Instead of making the social security system more efficient and secure, you are making it more difficult. And secure, I am not at all sure how secure the system is now that you have gotten a hold of it.
Knowing that a large percentage of us who are relying on this system and who have paid into this system all of our lives are at your mercy while you are screwing up the system.