Social Security Gives Update on Identity Proofing to Receive Payments

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has offered an update on new identity proofing requirements that will come into force later this month.

Why It Matters

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cutbacks and reforms, greenlighted by the Trump administration, have resulted in a variety of changes at the federal agency, which administers retirement, disability and survivor benefits to some 70 million Americans.

The adjustment—requiring identity checks that cannot be completed online to be finished in field offices—has caused some confusion and backlash, with critics saying it could make benefits less accessible, particularly for vulnerable groups.

What To Know

In an effort to clear up confusion regarding new rules, the SSA posted on X, formerly Twitter, on April 3: "If you are receiving #SocialSecurity benefits or #SSI, you do NOT need to visit an office to prove your identity to continue to receive your payments on time.

"You do not need to call or visit us if you are already receiving #SocialSecurity benefits or #SSI and do not have a current need to do business with us," a separate post reads.

The posts come after the federal agency updated its requirements for new benefit applicants. The SSA has implemented a new rule that will make it no longer possible for applicants to verify their identity with the SSA over the phone when making claims, or when current beneficiaries need to change direct deposit information.

This was later changed to exclude Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Medicare recipients, as well as those considered in "dire need" such as "terminal cases or prisoner pre-release scenarios."

The change means that anyone who is unable to verify their identity online must visit a Social Security office in person to complete their identity check.

Identity checks are not required for those already receiving benefits unless they are changing their direct deposit information for existing payments.

"The public does not need to contact Social Security unless they need to change direct deposit information and cannot do it online," the agency clarifies on a help page dedicated to the new requirements. "There is no need to contact Social Security to prove identity if not applying for benefits and if not changing direct deposit information for current benefits. People will continue to receive their benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security's records without needing to prove identity."

What People Are Saying

Leland Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a press release issued on March 26: "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. 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."

Max Richtman of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security said in a statement emailed to Newsweek: "While it is good that a bad policy is being postponed—and that some of the least mobile, most vulnerable groups are now exempted—it is still bad policy. There was no reason to end the validation of identity by phone, and limiting it in any way creates an unnecessary hurdle for seniors and families claiming their earned benefits."

What's Next

The new identity proofing requirements will come into force on April 14.