Beneficiaries of Social Security monthly checks should keep an eye out for some of the big changes being enacted by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with regard to certain protocols.
These protocol changes will revise the way millions of Americans deal with Social Security matters including, verifying their identities, accessing benefits, and communicating with the SSA.
What kind of Social Security changes will we see?
For most American citizens over the age of 65, Social Security benefits form a significant — and sometimes sole — source of income for this cohort. The same can be said of those with disabilities as well. In fact, a fact sheet from the SSA revealed that “nearly nine out of 10 people age 65 and older were receiving a Social Security benefit as of December 2024.”
This is said to emphasize the importance and necessity of such a system within the country. As such, the implications of a delay or interruption with these monthly payments could have colossally damaging effects on the households of millions.
Subsequently, as of March 31, beneficiaries of these monthly checks will no longer be able to verify their identity with the SSA by means of a telephone call. This means that any person who needs to make changes to payment information or apply for benefits will have to do so either in person or online through the official SSA website.
The decision to eliminate the telephone verification option has come about as a result of several security breaches and fraud attempts. The SSA’s Office of the Inspector General carried out audits which revealed that direct deposit information from January 2013 to May 2018 was manipulated by fraudsters so as to divert $33.5 million in benefits from 20,878 recipients.
As a result, the SSA has since updated its FAQ page which now states that Social Security’s online services are able to “prove identity or, if needed, in person, prevents bad actors from stealing current and future benefits.”
“Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance. For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service,” acting Commissioner of Social Security Lee Dudek stated in a press release.
How to verify after March 31
With the new protocols in effect, individuals who are not able to verify their identity through their my Social Security account online will be redirected to stop by their nearest SSA office in person to sort out the matter. Beneficiaries must ensure their proof of identity is on their person when visiting the office as well.
Whilst the benefit claim process can still begin over the phone, nothing will be completed until the person verifies their identity in person at the SSA office. For this reason, the SSA urges recipients to always ensure their contact details are up to date on their profiles and that their documentation should be prepared prior to their appointments.
Despite this change in procedure occurring as a way of curbing fraud attempts whilst also modernizing the SSA’s systems, some critics feels that this change will place unnecessary hurdles in the claims process for vulnerable Americans, especially the elderly and disabled.
“While cutting phone services does feel like a sign of the times, it does create yet another step for seniors who aren’t online savvy to have to seek out their closest administration office for certain issues,” Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin observed.
The SSA has also recently undergone a restructuring that saw the agency reducing its workforce from 57,000 to 50,000 employees. In this regard, Beene also felt that wait times will now be significantly longer for those who file claims in person, “particularly at locations that are dealing with smaller staffs to serve recipients.”
“The decision to slash phone services may make fiscal sense, but it could trigger long-term customer service issues that beneficiaries will have to deal with for years to come,” Beene added.