In-Person Requirement Will Not Apply to Disability Insurance, Medicare, and SSI Applications

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the
security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The
updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits for millions
of Americans against fraudulent activity. In-person identity proofing for people unable to
use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April
14, 2025.
“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,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “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.”
Under the updated policy beginning April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) who cannot use a personal my Social Security account can complete their claim
entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office.
Individuals who cannot use their personal my Social Security account to apply for
benefits will only need to prove their identity at a Social Security office if applying for
Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits. SSA will enforce online
digital identity proofing or in-person identity proofing for these cases. The agency will
not enforce these requirements in extreme dire-need situations, such as terminal cases or

prisoner pre-release scenarios. SSA is currently developing a process that will require
documentation and management approval to bypass the policy in such dire need cases.
Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to
change their direct deposit information for any benefit will need to visit a Social Security
office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person
appointment. The agency also recommends that individuals unable to apply online call to
schedule an in-person appointment to begin and complete a claim for Retirement,
Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits in one interaction.
SSA recently required nearly all agency employees, including frontline employees in all
offices throughout the country, to work in the office five days a week. This change
ensures maximum staffing is available to support the stronger in-person identity proofing
requirement.
The agency will continue to monitor and, if necessary, make adjustments to ensure it pays
the right person the right amount at the right time while safeguarding the benefits and
programs it administers. SSA plans to implement the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of
Fiscal Service’s payment integrity service called Account Verification Service (AVS).
AVS provides instant bank verification services to proactively and timely prevent fraud
associated with direct deposit change requests. SSA will continue to fight fraud while
balancing its program integrity responsibilities with delivering on its customer service
mission to the American people.
People who do not already have a my Social Security account can create one
at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
Stay up to date about SSA’s identity proofing requirements and exceptions at What to
Know about Proving Your Identity | SSA.

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To view the release: PressRls.IdentityProofingUpdate