Updated Policy on Social Security Fraud Prevention Requires Increased In-Person Visits at Agency Offices
Rewritten Article:
Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that people needing to prove their identity while applying for benefits in-person at their field offices, due to an inability to do so online, will be the new norm starting March 31.
And that ain't all! Starting March 29, beneficiaries are no longer allowed to change their bank account information over the phone. With these changes, expect a stampede of folks heading to SSA offices, causing delays in receiving payments and stretching Social Security's resources thin at a time when it's severely downsizing its staff.
The increased scrutiny comes as officials from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have zeroed in on alleged fraud within the agency. The new identity verification process kicks off in late March, with the bank account rule following suit shortly after.
Although applications and bank information changes can still be processed online through the "my Social Security" portal, users must utilize ID.me or other identity proofing services.
"The people of America deserve the utmost protection for their Social Security records," said Lee Dudek, the acting commissioner of Social Security. "It's high time we ditched these antiquated methods for proving identity."
More than 73 million individuals, including retirees, folks with disabilities, and others, collect monthly Social Security benefits. This new rule has the power to add 75,000 to 85,000 more visitors to SSA field offices each week, according to an internal memo, leading to longer waiting times for appointments and call-backs and delays in processing applications.
Kathleen Romig, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, believes these changes will profoundly hinder beneficiaries' access to their benefits, particular seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with online services or having limited credit histories.
Already, it's a hassle to get an appointment at a field office and even more challenging to get a callback from the agency's 800-number, Romig points out.
"It wouldn't be problematic if you weren't downsizing the field offices and cutting the number of staff," former Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley stated. "Unfortunately, that seems to be the larger issue here."
This comes at a time when the agency is planning to shed approximately 7,000 workers and close offices under the Trump administration's initiative to shrink the federal government. Despite the influx of people applying for and receiving benefits as the Baby Boomer generation retires, the SSA is currently operating at a skeletal staffing level.
Sources:
- How Social Security's Proposed Changes Could Slow Benefits for Millions of Americans
- Social Security stations prepare for shift amid staffing cuts
- Social Security offices in South Florida are closing, but residents say they’re crucial for disabled and low-income people
- Millions of Social Security Benefit Claimants Face Service Delays as New Identity Verification Rules Take Effect
- Social Security Swings a Sword at Fraud, But May Hurt the Most Vulnerable
- The new identity verification process in Social Security Administration (SSA) offices, initiated on March 31, is part of efforts to combat alleged fraud, as directed by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
- With the implementation of the new rule, more than 73 million Social Security beneficiaries, such as retirees and individuals with disabilities, may experience delays in receiving their benefits due to increased office footfall.
- According to internal estimates, these changes could potentially result in 75,000 to 85,000 additional visitors to SSA field offices each week, requiring authentication and more robust online services, like the "my Social Security" portal, to ease the burden for average users.
