Starting April 14, 2025, millions of Social Security recipients in the United States will have to follow a new rule to keep receiving their payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is introducing a stricter identity verification process for certain users, to reduce fraud and make sure benefits go to the right people.
This change is part of a government-wide effort led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration. It’s all about protecting taxpayer money and making sure the system stays safe and fair.
What Is the New Requirement?
From April 14 onwards, people who are:
- Creating a new My Social Security account, or
- Requesting changes to their existing account
will need to verify their identity in person at a Social Security office.
If they do not complete this step, their accounts might be marked as inactive or possibly fraudulent, and payments could be stopped.
This rule does not affect everyone, but it’s important for those making changes or registering for the first time.
Why Is the SSA Making This Change?
Recently, the SSA found that millions of dollars were wrongly sent to people who were already deceased. As part of a system cleanup, about 7 million numberholders listed as age 120+ were marked as deceased, and another 5 million are still under review.
This shows there have been big issues with record-keeping and identity verification. So, the SSA is tightening its rules to stop these errors and prevent fraud.
The SSA believes this new rule will help keep Social Security funds safe and make sure only those who truly qualify get paid.
Who Is Exempt From In-Person ID Checks?
Not everyone has to go through this new process. If you’re applying for:
then you are exempt from the in-person ID check. These programs already require several steps to prove your identity, so extra steps aren’t needed.
SSA officials have also said they are giving staff two extra weeks for training before the new rule starts. This way, workers will be better prepared to help people understand and follow the new rules.
How Can Beneficiaries Prepare?
To avoid delays in your Social Security payments:
- Stay updated by checking the SSA website or visiting your local office.
- If you’re registering for the first time or making changes to your account, plan a visit to the SSA office to verify your ID.
- Carry proper identification documents like a photo ID, Social Security card, or proof of address.
If you already have a working My Social Security account and don’t need to make any changes, you are not affected by this new rule.