The Social Security Agency’s plan to require millions of new and existing recipients to face-to-face identity checks has sparked outrage among lawmakers, advocacy groups and program recipients who are concerned that the government is placing unnecessary barriers in front of an already vulnerable population.
The new requirements will affect those who need to verify bank information with agents, as well as families with children receiving Social Security benefits, and families who cannot see their child’s information on the SSA website. They say they are trying to fight fraud in vainly within the system, and are spreading President Donald Trump and his administration’s officials.
The agency announced Tuesday that from March 31st, those who are unable to properly verify their identity over the agency’s “My Social Security” online service will need to make a direct visit to the agency’s field office to complete the verification process. They also recently announced that Social Security Field Offices across the country will be closing.
According to an analysis by the Associated Press of Data, out of the 47 SSA field offices listed on the government’s Ministry of Efficiency website for closures, 26 are scheduled to close this year, with some scheduled to close next month.
The change could result in massive delays in services, along with impending closures of field offices across the country, along with plans to reduce agency workforce with large layoffs, supporters say. AARP’s Nancy Leamond said eliminating phone confirmations would “have more headaches and longer wait times to resolve daily customer service needs.”
Leamond, AARP’s Chief Advocacy Officer and Engagement Officer, said the announcement “is not only a complete surprise, but also an unrealistic fast track.”
“SSA needs to be transparent about changes to its services and seek input from older Americans affected, as the social security delays caused by this change can mean real economic hardships,” Lemond said.
The agency’s leader said Tuesday that it will begin training frontline employees and management teams on new policies for the next two weeks.
The Democrats pushback came quickly. A group of 62 House Democrats wrote to agent representative Leand Dudek on Wednesday, expressing concerns about how the changes will hurt old beneficiaries in remote areas and people with limited internet access.
“Requiring beneficiaries to seek assistance online only through artificial intelligence or directly at SSA field offices will create additional barriers, especially for those far away from the office,” they wrote. “We strongly recommend that you consider individuals who may be harmed by you.”
One Social Security recipient, Sandi Bachom, 80, of New York, said she was scared of the change.
“What happens if you don’t get that check?” she said. “I don’t have a family. Everyone is dead. There’s no one to take care of me.”
Bachem, a retired documentary filmmaker, praises Social Security as “saving my life” after losing his job in six figure advertising and struggling.
White House: “We’re looking for seniors.”
White House spokesman Harrison Fields told the Associated Press that the intention of the change was to “stop vulnerability to fraud.”
“We’re looking for seniors by doing this,” Fields said.
In announcing the changes, Dudek said the agency is seeing $100 million in direct deposit scams each year. However, Congressional testimony with SSA Inspector officials in May 2023 stated, “From January 2013 to May 2018, the fraudster redirected $33.5 million in benefits targeting 20,878 beneficiaries and made fraudulent direct deposit changes through the agency’s website.
The agency distributes approximately $1.6 trillion in elderly and disability benefits annually.
The end of the phone service identification is dramatic for some recipients, including families with children who need to visit the SSA office, as they are unable to open online accounts through the “My Social Security” online service.
“This makes it much more difficult for Americans to assert the benefits they’ve acquired, which can cause major delays and ultimately disrupt the system by overwhelming the field office.”
Advocacy group Altman believes the administration’s ultimate goal is to privatize the social security system.
Travel concerns for low-income seniors
Kentucky Gov. Andy Besher said he was concerned that “some of the oldest Kentuckians living in bonds don’t have the resources to travel, but they’ll have to travel for a few hours to answer basic questions.”
“Why? Because they don’t want to do it on them, so they want to be able to drive them away. That’s not right,” Democrats said. “These are qualified people and the federal government is obligated to have sufficient offices, call-in, or other resources to ultimately handle the applications there and answer the questions people have.
“My concern is that what Elon Musk is trying to do is not fix it, but break the government.”
Musk’s Office of Government Efficiency is incorporating staff into various agencies in search of ways to reduce the federal government. Musk pushed forward with the theory of exposure on social security, describing the federal welfare program as full of “Ponzi plans” and fraud.
Bachom, a New Yorker who relies on monthly Social Security checks arriving mid-month, said people she knows are wary of hearing about the stairs the administration has taken.
“We’re all surprised,” she said. “And we don’t need to be surprised that someone is trying to take us out in this age.”
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Sedensky reported from New York. Associated Press reporters include Chris Megerian and Meg Kinnard, KY of Washington. Bruce Schreiner of Frankfort contributed to this report.
