In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.

Summary

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will require in-person identity verification for new applicants and recipients changing direct deposit, ending phone-based verification.

The move comes as the agency plans to close 47 offices and lay off thousands of workers. Critics warn it will burden seniors, disabled individuals, and rural residents.

Democrats accuse Trump and Musk of undermining Social Security to push privatization.

Unions have sued to block DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security data.

  • Bob Robertson IX @discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    11·
    4 hours ago

    No, the headline and summary above are leaving out the fact that you can still access the SSA through their website. This is just removing the telephone option, and if you can’t use the website then the only other option is to go to an office. I’m assuming that since you are on Lemmy, you have internet access.