Beginning Monday, the Social Security Administration will no longer accept phone applications from Americans seeking retirement or survivor benefits. As an alternative, they will need to look for assistance online or physically visit a nearby Social Security field office, which, according to a recent estimate by the left-leaning Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities, or CBPP, is equivalent to a “45-mile trip for about 6 M seniors.”
This shift, according to the group, “will close off a significant mode of facility for lots of people” who are qualified for assistance. “More than 4 in 10 retirees apply for their Social Security benefits by phone, as do most spouses who are eligible for benefits,” the study stated.
Social Security’s New Policy Could Hit Hard Millions
“So do the vast majority of bereaved family members who can receive benefits after the death of a worker.” A week after it was first announced, this new policy—which also relates to anybody making alterations to their direct deposit account—was mainly retracted in response to disagreement from stakeholders and disability organizations. The new measures, according to agency administrators, “will further safeguard Social Security proceedings and benefits from fraudulent activity” by establishing “stronger identity authentication ways.”
According to an SSA spokesman who talked to NPR, “telephone remains a viable option to the public” once these new regulations take effect. Applications for supplemental income, Medicare, and disability benefits are now exempt from the new rules. “Beginning on April 14, Social Security will perform an anti-fraud check on all claims filed over the telephone and flag claims that have fraud risk indicators,” they announced. All claims made in person will still be subject to 100% ID verification. 4.5 million phone claims annually, with 70K potentially being reported. A lawsuit filed last week against the agency by disability rights organizations also mentioned this policy.
Social Security New Policy – Overview
| Article name | Social Security’s New Policy Could Hit Hard Millions: Find Out If You’re One of Them |
| Country | USA |
| Department | Social Security Administration |
| Recipients | Eligible citizens |
| Category | Finance |
| Year | 2025 |
| Official website | ssa.gov |
What is Social Security’s New Policy?
There may be another change coming soon to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and if it is implemented, many elderly people may encounter a new obstacle when trying to get in touch with the organization with any questions they may have. From the nomination of a new SSA Commissioner in May to the revised 50% withholding rate for overpayment benefits, the agency has already experienced a number of changes under the new Trump Administration this year.
and even a reorganisation of the organisation, which resulted in the layoff of almost 7,000 workers as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s budgetary objectives. Today, the SSA is going to add extra steps to the identification verification procedure for beneficiaries to reduce the possibility of fraud over the phone.
Social Security’s New Policy Impact on Seniors
“It is anticipated that 3.4 million people will now need to visit a field office on an annual basis to fulfil their queries,” the government noted in the filing. The agency expressly states in the filing that “3.4 million respondents who decline to use SAP (Security Authentication PIN) and visit a field office for in-person identity proofing” are expected to be included. However, despite the filing’s lack of a clear indication that the new identification process is voluntary, an SSA representative emailed CNN to clarify that it is instead “completely optional.”
Furthermore, Kathleen Romig, the Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities’ head of Social Security and ill health policy, has argued that there is no precedent for fraud resulting from telephone requests for address modifications or other comparable inquiries. “There’s simply no proof that this is an issue,” Romig said. According to Romig’s estimations, “the new anti-fraud rules will increase field visits by 17%, and needful beneficiaries will need to apply 3 million hours driving to workplaces to complete their transactions.”
SSA Increases Anti-Fraud Measures
After being nominated by President Donald Trump in January, Frank Bisignano was formally appointed as the SSA Official in May. It seems that this most recent effort to reduce any possibility of fraud is a step in the right direction, as Bisignano has subsequently stated that he is aiming to make the SSA a “digital-first organisation.” Seniors will no longer be able to easily examine the status of their benefit claims or make any changes to their accounts over the phone because they will need to have their identity verified either in person at an SSA field office or online.
In the recent regulatory filing to the Office of Management and Budget, Social Security stated that it is “increasing its online verification necessity for address modifications, claim status requests, benefit verification letters, and tax statements.” If authorized, the SSA will begin implementing this system update on August 18. In order to use this new verification system, individuals will first need to establish a one-time PIN and use it to confirm their identification online on their Social Security account. A direct visit to an SSA field office is an alternative; however, numerous advocacy organizations have noted that elderly or disabled people may find either of these procedures challenging.
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Homepage | Moyle-Council.org |
FAQs
Who will be affected by the new social security policy?
New applicants for retirement, survivors, and those who are unable to verify their identity online will be affected by the new Social Security policy.
What is changing for Social Security recipients?
Under the new rule, applicants must visit a local SSA office if they cannot complete confirmation online.
Why is SSA enforcing this change?
According to SSA Guidelines, the new requirement is designed to prevent fraud & identity theft within the Social Security system.
