The Brief
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- New Social Security Administration rules were announced, which will require millions of recipients to visit local agency offices in-person rather than over the phone.
- The changes are aimed at limiting fraudulent claims.
- The requirements will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information.
WASHINGTON – New rules are coming to the Social Security Administration aimed at limiting fraudulent claims, which will require millions of recipients to visit local agency offices in person rather than over the phone.
The agency on Tuesday, describing them as “stronger identity verification procedures” to further safeguard records and benefits against fraud.
Here’s what recipients and applicants should know:
New Social Security rules to require in-person office visits
What we know:
People will no longer be able to verify their identity with the SSA over the phone. And those who cannot properly verify their identity through the agency’s “my Social Security” online service will be required to visit an agency field office in person to complete the verification process, the agency said.
Timeline:
These new SSA requirements will take effect on March 31, 2025.
Who this applies to:
The change will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information.
Dig deeper:
The new changes come as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers.
In addition to the identity verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients’ direct deposit change requests – both in person and online – to one business day. Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
Earlier this month, the agency said returning to a previous policy under the Obama administration that withheld 100% of people’s benefits if they were accidentally overpaid. In 2024, under the Biden administration, Social Security announced it was decreasing the default overpayment withholding rate to just 10% from 100%, to help reduce financial hardship on people with overpayments.
