In March 2025, numerous Snopes readers asked us to verify whether they would need to go in person to Social Security offices in order to confirm their identities as a result of changes implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
A number of online posts claimed:
It's Official, the Social Security Administration now Requires in-Person Identity Checks for New and Existing Recipients
And just like that… most of the fraud is wiped out.
Beginning March 31st, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone
(X user @MJTruthUltra)
The above post is true but is missing important context. People will no longer be able to verify their identity over the phone, but if they cannot use their personal "my Social Security" online accounts to verify their identities they will have to do so in person at an office. Many Social Security beneficiaries will still have the option to verify their identities online.
The change would apply to anyone who needs to verify their identity with the Social Security Administration; that is, new Social Security applicants and people who need to change their direct deposit information.
Additionally, while the SSA initially said the change would go into effect after March 31, 2025, it released a statement March 26 that said the change would be effective April 14, 2025.
According to a statement released by the SSA on March 18, 2025, the agency will implement "stronger" identity proofing procedures (emphasis ours):
Over the next two weeks, SSA will carefully transition to stronger identity proofing procedures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal "my Social Security" account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. At the same time, the agency will expedite processing all direct deposit change requests – both in person and online – to one business day. Prior to this change, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
The SSA also noted in a March 12, 2025, statement that phone services would still be available but could not be used to verify someone's identity, which is a requirement for changing one's bank account information:
Approximately 40 percent of Social Security direct deposit fraud is associated with someone calling SSA to change direct deposit bank information. SSA's current protocol of simply asking identifying questions by telephone is no longer enough to prevent fraud.
If someone needs to change their bank account information on SSA's record, they will need to either:
- Use two-factor authentication with SSA's "my Social Security" service; or
- Visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity.These methods align with most major banks. All other SSA telephone services remain unchanged.
On its FAQ page, in response to the question "Do I need to visit a Social Security office to prove my identity?" the SSA advises (emphasis ours):
It depends. You don't need to visit Social Security to prove your identity if you use a personal "my Social Security" account to apply for cash benefits or to change direct deposit information.
You do need to visit a Social Security office to prove your identity if you don't create an account to apply for cash benefits or change direct deposit information, or to finish an application started on the telephone or if using a paper application, including claims filed by third parties.
There is no need to contact Social Security if you do not receive benefits. Also, people will continue to receive their benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security's records without needing to prove identity.
The SSA's March 26 news release noted that people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income would still be able to complete their claims by phone.
In sum, in-person office visits will be necessary for people applying for Social Security retirement benefits — or existing beneficiaries who are changing their direct depost information — who cannot verify their identities online.
This change is likely to adversely affect beneficiaries, according to news reports, given that the Department of Government Efficiency — with tech billionaire Elon Musk as its figurehead — plans to close 47 Social Security field offices across the country. According to The Associated Press, 26 of those offices will be closed in 2025 alone. According to a February 2025 report, the SSA also plans to cut 50% of its workforce.
According to The Associated Press, advocates for the elderly said these closures and stricter identity-proofing requirements would make obtaining benefits more difficult for Americans in rural areas, those with limited internet access and people with disabilities or mobility issues.
Representing an advocacy group for the elderly, AARP officer Nancy LeaMond told CBS News that eliminating phone verification would "result in more headaches and longer wait times to resolve routine customer service needs."
She added: "SSA needs to be transparent about its service changes and seek input from the older Americans who will be affected. Because any delay in Social Security caused by this change can mean real economic hardship."
In mid-April 2025, the SSA reversed these requirements, announcing: "Beginning April 14, 2025, SSA will allow individuals to complete all claim types via telephone, supported by new anti-fraud capabilities designed to protect beneficiaries and streamline the customer experience."