The Social Security Administration (SSA) is finalizing a new identity-proofing policy. The policy aims to reduce fraudulent payments. It will require millions of beneficiaries to verify their identity online or in person.
They can do this at an agency field office or nearby post office. This will eliminate the option to verify their identity over the phone. Starting April 14, beneficiaries must use the SSA’s “my Social Security” online platform.
They can also visit an SSA field office or post office to complete the verification process. Direct deposit changes will no longer be accepted through the SSA’s 1-800 toll-free number. Assistance will be provided through a specialized phone queue.
This will help individuals set up a mySSA account. SSA Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations Delma Cardona announced these changes in a recent meeting. She stated that the narrower set of requirements would no longer apply to disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.
“We’re hoping that addresses some of the concerns that we know are out there,” Cardona said. The decision to implement these changes comes after initial plans were delayed. They were slated for March 31 but faced immediate pushback from beneficiaries and advocate groups.
Concerns were raised about the disproportionate impact on certain groups.
New identity-proofing policy announced
These included older Americans in rural areas, those with limited internet access, and individuals with disabilities.
To address these concerns, the SSA is seeking to partner with the Postal Service. This would allow in-person identity proofing at over 19,000 post office locations across the country. In comparison, the SSA has 1,230 field offices.
“A partnership with USPS would make in-person identity proofing more accessible to SSA beneficiaries who live far away from the nearest field office,” Cardona said. For cases where in-person visits are inaccessible, the SSA is working on a “video service delivery” option. This would allow beneficiaries to use a phone, iPad, or a relative’s device to complete the identity verification process.
Cardona emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of any remote identity proofing methods. The SSA’s acting commissioner, Leland Dudek, highlighted the severity of the issue. He noted that the agency is losing more than $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud.
What we’re trying to do here is to avoid fraud and waste, and to protect our customers,” Cardona said. The SSA is also conducting a risk assessment. This is to ensure that any facial recognition service it might implement is secure and not vulnerable to fraud.
“Every step that we take, we need to look at it from that perspective,” she added. As the SSA moves forward with these changes, the objective is clear. They aim to make the identity proofing process more secure while accommodating the diverse needs of its beneficiaries.
