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TAKEAWAYS KEY
- Starting April 14, applicants unable to use their online account for retirement, survivor’s or family benefits must visit a SSA branch office to verify identity.
- This is a revised version of the original policy—allowing more time for the transition and affecting a smaller number of beneficiaries.
- Some critics argued that the original policy would burden beneficiaries unnecessarily. The administration claimed that these changes would strengthen its security services and prevent Social Security fraud.
In a new policy, certain beneficiaries will be required to visit a Social Security Administration office to receive their benefits.
As of April 14, beneficiaries applying for benefits such as retirement, survivor’s, or family must visit a SSA office to verify their identity instead of calling. For those who cannot access or use their online account, they will need to visit an SSA office in person to make a claim or change their direct deposit.
The administration stated that these changes would help to strengthen its security services, and prevent Social Security fraud. Advocates and beneficiaries have said that it would increase the difficulty of getting benefits as fewer workers and offices could slow the process.
Originally, SSA said that these changes would be affecting all Social Security beneficiaries and the agency was going to transition identification verification procedures before March 31. The SSA has changed the timeline since the announcement and reduced the scope.
Why did SSA change its policy?
Social Security advocates criticized the administration's original policy, saying it would negatively impact specifically senior citizens living in rural areas.
Max Richtman of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, the president and CEO said, “They would need to call SSA to schedule an appointment, and travel to a SSA field office, at a moment when the agency is closing down field offices all over the country, and radically reducing the staff.”
After receiving initial responses, the agency exempted Medicare and Disability applicants and SSI recipients from the new policy. They also delayed its implementation by over three weeks.
The SSA will cut or avoid spending $820 million in this fiscal year. This is in line with President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) goals to reduce federal spending.
Part of these budget cuts include reducing more than 12% of SSA's workforce, and DOGE has said about 47 of SSA offices are closing. The agency said that only one of these closing offices was an office for hearings, and the rest were small hearing rooms without assigned employees.
