By Alex Moore
Starting April 14th, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires individuals who cannot access their online my Social Security accounts to complete an in-person identity verification process at a Social Security office. This applies to those applying for retirement, survivor, or auxiliary (spouse or child) benefits, but not to those applying for Medicare, disability, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Additionally, individuals who cannot access their my Social Security accounts will need to visit a Social Security office in person to update their direct deposit information.
The agency says the new policy's purpose is to prevent bad actors from stealing current and future benefits. The agency also says that existing beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits on schedule to the bank account in Social Security’s records without needing to prove their identity.
How can I avoid in-person identity proofing requirements?
If you’re applying for retirement, survivors, spouse, or child benefits, having an online Social Security account through the SSA is the key to avoiding in-person identity proofing. Creating an account is free for anyone, and it provides personalized tools for both people who already claim Social Security benefits and those who haven’t claimed their benefits yet. These include ordering a replacement Social Security card, uploading documents, setting up direct deposit, checking the status of your benefits application, and managing your benefits.
If you don’t have a my Social Security account and want to set one up, you can do so at this SSA webpage. You can do so with a Login.gov account or an ID.me account. If you have neither of these, the webpage will redirect you to set them up.
What steps should I take if I'm required to complete in-person identity verification?
First, set-up an appointment. While the SSA does take walk-ins at its field offices, the agency recommends calling 1-800-772-1213 to set up an in-person appointment. The agency says that, with an appointment, it’s possible to begin and complete a claim for retirement, survivors, or spouse or child benefits in one interaction.
Second, make sure to bring all the documentation you might need to prove your identity (in addition to any documentation needed for your specific appointment). According to the SSA, U.S. citizens should bring at least one piece of what SSA calls “primary evidence,” which can include a driver’s license, a state-issued ID other than a driver’s license, a passport, or a passport card. If you don’t have any of these documents or are not a U.S. citizen, you can also fulfill the identity proofing requirement with other documents, which the SSA details on this webpage.
