The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced it is delaying and rolling back parts of its major changes to identity verification processes.
Why It Matters
The SSA announced earlier this month that starting March 31, benefit claimants would no longer have the option to verify their identity with the SSA over the phone when making claims or changing direct deposit information.
It meant that anyone who could not verify their identity using the SSA's online portal would be required to travel to a field office to complete the process in person. The changes were brought in to combat fraud.
The policy garnered significant criticism from lawmakers and Social Security advocates, who said it would negatively impact vulnerable Americans.
What To Know
The SSA has amended its policy, announcing that changes to identity verification will now begin on April 14.
It has also confirmed that those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who cannot use their Social Security account to verify who they are "can complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office."
However, those claiming retirement, survivor or spouse, and child benefits—or those wanting to change their direct deposit information—will still need to visit an office if they cannot use the online service.
Between January 2013 and May 2018, fraudsters manipulated direct deposit information to divert $33.5 million in benefits from 20,878 recipients, according to audits by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.
"The agency will not enforce these requirements in extreme, dire-need situations, such as terminal cases or prisoner pre-release scenarios," the agency added.
The change comes at a time when numerous Social Security offices have either been shut or are scheduled to close due to Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts.
DOGE has listed 47 SSA field offices set for closure across the country, many of which are concentrated in the southeast and southern U.S. The SSA has around 1,230 field offices in total.
Backlash
The initial announcement sparked considerable backlash, particularly from Social Security advocacy groups.
Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security, told Newsweek that the policy was "an outright hostility to the elderly, people with disabilities, their families and survivors who rely on Social Security."
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, said in a statement emailed to Newsweek that "the change will drive millions of additional Americans, many who have serious mobility issues, into already overcrowded offices for no reason."
President Donald Trump's SSA commissioner nominee Frank Bisignano also faced questions from lawmakers regarding applicants and claimants being turned away from field offices during a Senate confirmation hearing earlier this week.
What People Are Saying
Lee Dudek, acting SSA commissioner, said in a press release issued on March 26: "We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country's most vulnerable populations.
"In addition to extending the policy's effective date by two weeks to ensure our employees have the training they need to help customers, Medicare, Disability, and SSI applications will be exempt from in-person identity proofing because multiple opportunities exist during the decision process to verify a person's identity.
Max Richtman of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security said in a statement emailed to Newsweek: "While it is good that a bad policy is being postponed—and that some of the least mobile, most vulnerable groups are now exempted—it is still bad policy.
"There was no reason to end the validation of identity by phone, and limiting it in any way creates an unnecessary hurdle for seniors and families claiming their earned benefits."
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