The Social Security Administration (SSA) has just announced a major change that will impact how people claim their benefits. Starting March 31, 2025, if you want to apply for Social Security benefits but can’t verify your identity online, you’ll need to go to a local SSA office and do it in person.
This means you won’t be able to verify your identity over the phone anymore. The SSA has officially stopped phone verification as part of their new policy changes.
Why This Change Matters
This new rule is coming at a time when many Social Security offices across the U.S. are either shutting down or facing closure soon. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced plans to close 47 SSA field offices, mostly in the Southeast and Southern U.S. areas. Currently, there are about 1,230 Social Security field offices across the country.
So, if you’re someone who depends on visiting a nearby SSA office, this news might hit hard—especially if your local office is on the closure list.
What’s Behind the Change?
According to the SSA, this shift is being done to make identity verification stronger and more secure. SSA officials said they want to prevent identity theft and improve security for Social Security records.
Here’s what SSA said in a statement:
“Over the next two weeks, SSA will carefully transition to stronger identity proofing procedures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes.
Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal ‘my Social Security’ account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person.”
The change also follows a directive from former President Donald Trump and support from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, pushing for tighter systems and digital verification.
What You Should Know About Office Visits
A leaked memo shared by Substack’s Popular Information shows that this new rule could lead to 75,000 to 85,000 more people visiting SSA offices every week. This could mean over 4.4 million extra visits annually!
If you’re thinking about visiting, be prepared:
- Appointment wait times might get longer.
- According to SSA data, only 44.9% of appointment requests in February 2025 were handled within 28 days.
SSA has confirmed that all front-line staff will now be working five days a week at the office to handle the increased workload and meet the in-person identity proofing requirement.
What Leaders & Experts Are Saying
SSA’s Acting Commissioner, Lee Dudek, explained why this shift is necessary:
“Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance. For far too long, the agency has used outdated methods to prove identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while speeding up service.”
However, not everyone agrees with this approach.
Representative John B. Larson, a Democrat from Connecticut, strongly criticized the change. He claimed the policy is a deliberate move to make life harder for seniors and disabled Americans, forcing them to visit closing offices or use online services—just to create inefficiencies and push towards privatizing Social Security.
He said:
“Their memo confirms they are out to gut Social Security to pay for $2 trillion in new tax breaks for the wealthiest one percent. By requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, Trump and Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system.”
Similarly, Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, told Newsweek:
“Intentionally creating obstacles for the people who’ve earned these benefits (and who pay for SSA operations with every paycheck) shows at best an indifference—and more likely, an outright hostility—to the elderly, people with disabilities, and survivors who rely on Social Security.”
What’s Next?
The SSA has already started a two-week transition period to:
- Train employees on the new policies
- Ensure that the new verification rule is being followed correctly
This means after March 31, if you’re unable to verify your identity online, your only option will be to show up at an SSA office in person.
Key Takeaways:
- Phone verification ends March 31, 2025.
- Online identity proofing preferred via ‘my Social Security’ accounts.
- In-person visits required if online verification fails.
- SSA offices facing closures may make access more difficult.
- Longer wait times expected due to extra field office visits.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.