By Leada Gore
Changes are in store for millions of current and future Social Security recipients.
Starting April 1, all new Social Security applicants, as well as current beneficiaries wanting to make changes to their accounts, will be required to verify their identity either online with the “my Social Security” service or visit an office in person. In the past, changes could be handled over the telephone.
The changes are part of the agency’s efforts to beef up identification safeguards.
“Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance,” Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security said in a statement. “For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
In-person visits will be required for new applications and changes, including providing new direct deposit information. Those changes previously took up to 30 days to be applied but will now be handled in one day, Social Security said.
Applicants who do not or cannot use the online “my Social Security” tool will be allowed to start their claims online but cannot be finished until a person confirms their identification in person.
More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive benefits through Social Security.
