The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a new mandatory requirement for the majority of their beneficiaries, which will take effect as soon as March 31, 2025. The agency is changing how it verifies your identity: essentially, they want to know if you are you and that you exist.
There will be no more phone calls for this step, as everything will be done online or in person. Yes, there will be some changes, but do not be concerned. I’ll walk you through what’s changing, why it’s important, and how to get through it with ease.
The Short version: The SSA just introduced a mandatory in-person check-up
Benefits and direct deposit updates no longer require you to verify your identity over the phone. Starting next week (yep, March 31 is right around the corner!), you’ll need to do one of these things:
- Hop online using the SSA’s “my Social Security” portal, or
- Visit an office in person if you’re not into digital stuff.
“Why the change?” you might ask.It is all about security and fraud prevention. The SSA aims to reduce fraud, which sounds great… Unless you have difficulty with technology or are unable to easily access an office. More on that in a moment.
Not everyone will like this, but we all want the SSA money to stop being leaked to people who do not deserve it. If you are tech-savvy, you will most likely breeze through the online process. But for people like:
- Older adults who prefer talking to a human,
- People in rural areas with spotty internet or faraway offices,
- Those with disabilities who find travel tough,
…this could feel like a hurdle. The SSA knows this, though, and they’re urging people in these groups to schedule in-person appointments ASAP to avoid delays. But, move faster than the others: Call their hotline at 1-800-772-1213 to book a space in the line. Offices might get swamped after March 31, so better safe than stuck in a line!
First time claiming your Social Security benefits? Here’s the starting point
If you’re about to retire, or you’re considering claiming your Social Security benefits, here is where you can start right now:
Online: Set up your “my Social Security” account now at SSA.gov/myaccount. If you haven’t logged in since 2022, you might need to switch to Login.gov or ID.me (it’s easy, promise).
In-person: Call that 1-800 number today to book an appointment. Seriously, don’t wait—these slots will fill up fast.
Even if you start the process by phone, you’ll still need to verify your identity online or in-person to finish it, as the new mandatory requirement dictates.
Bring your government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport), Social Security card (or a copy, but the original is better), a birth certificate (just in case) or tax documents, depending on your situation.
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