Social Security Administration Cancels In-Person Verification Requirement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Thursday a reversal of its requirement that beneficiaries must visit agency offices in person to verify their identities instead of utilizing telephone services. This change, effective April 14, comes in response to widespread criticism from advocates for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Initially, the SSA had declared that those who could not verify their identities online would be compelled to make in-person visits to local offices. This policy, if implemented, could have imposed significant barriers, particularly for approximately 6 million seniors who would have faced travel distances averaging 45 miles to reach the nearest SSA office, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Liz Huston, a White House spokesperson, expressed in a statement that the revisions reflect President Trump‘s ongoing commitment to enhancing Social Security services while addressing fraud. “The Social Security anti-fraud team has worked tirelessly to develop technological capabilities that allow fraud detection on claims filed over the phone,” said Huston.

The decision to reverse the in-person requirement follows growing pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups. They argued that such a policy would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, making access to necessary services even more challenging.

Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, hailed the reversal as a success for advocacy efforts. “The administration’s change in policy is not due to goodwill but a response to public pressure. It is vital for millions of seniors who rely on Social Security services,” Richtman said.

While the updated policy permits phone verification for most claims, individuals flagged for potential fraud will still need to verify their identities in person, representing about 70,000 claims annually. The SSA indicated that advancements in their fraud detection software will identify abnormal behaviors account-wise and target those needing further verification.

Advocates have welcomed the latest changes but emphasized the necessity for further improvements in customer service at the SSA. The agency has faced staffing cuts and operational changes raising concerns about the accessibility of benefits for the elderly.

With the policy change now in effect, seniors are expected to benefit from a more flexible verification process, reducing the strain on those already facing hurdles in accessing their entitled services.