The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to implement significant changes that will affect millions of Americans, requiring in-person identity checks starting March 31, 2025. This new requirement has raised concerns among lawmakers, advocacy groups, and individuals reliant on Social Security, as it coincides with the closure of numerous SSA offices across the country.
The new identity verification procedures will impact anyone needing to confirm their bank information with the agency, particularly families with children receiving Social Security benefits who cannot verify their information online. “What would happen if I didn't get that check? I don't have any family. Everybody's dead. There's no one to take care of me,” lamented 80-year-old Sandi Bachom, a retired documentary filmmaker from New York, illustrating the fears that many have regarding the changes.
Beginning March 31, individuals who cannot verify their identity through the SSA’s online “my Social Security” service will be required to visit a field office in person. This regulation aims to combat fraud, which the agency estimates costs around $100 million annually. Despite these assertions from SSA officials, concerns regarding the necessity and effectiveness of such a drastic measure have been voiced across the political spectrum.
As part of the implementation, the SSA has announced closures of 26 out of 47 listed offices across the U.S., with some set to close as early as April. For example, the SSA office located at 30 N. Diamond St. in Mansfield, Ohio, will cease operations on May 17, 2025. This consolidation aligns with efforts led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut down on federal real estate leases, putting an additional strain on recipients who may not have the means to travel far to access services.
The AARP's chief advocacy and engagement officer, Nancy LeaMond, criticized the SSA's abrupt changes, stating, “SSA needs to be transparent about its service changes and seek input from the older Americans who will be affected. Because any delay in Social Security caused by this change can mean real economic hardship.”
Furthermore, a group of 62 House Democrats expressed concern in a letter to SSA's acting commissioner, Leland Dudek, about the impact these new requirements could have on older beneficiaries, particularly those in remote areas or without access to the internet. “Requiring beneficiaries to seek assistance exclusively online, through artificial intelligence, or in person at SSA field offices would create additional barriers, particularly for those who live far from an office,” they stated in their correspondence.
The SSA distributes nearly $1.6 trillion in old-age and disability benefits each year, thus, any impediments caused by these recent changes are viewed with apprehension. During a White House press briefing, spokesman Harrison Fields remarked, “We're looking out for seniors by doing this,” reiterating that these policies aim to stop fraudulent activities within the system.
However, many find this justification dubious, especially in light of previous allegations surrounding wrongdoing that have been discredited. Notably, the assertions of rampant fraud made by President Donald Trump and some of his aides have been characterized as unfounded claims intended to set the stage for potential cuts to benefits.
Similarly, Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, put forth that these actions may pose serious challenges to those trying to access their earned benefits. “This will make it far harder for the American people to claim their earned benefits. It could even cause major delays and ultimately collapse the system by overwhelming the field offices,” Altman warned.
As the clock ticks down to the changes, many recipients, particularly those who are elderly or disabled, are grappling with the fear of accessing the services that are vital to their well-being. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear raised alarm about the hardships these closures may impose, adding, “some of our oldest Kentuckians, who are living on a fixed income, who don’t have the resources to travel, have to travel hours to get basic questions answered.”
These impending policies, combined with the reduction of in-person service options, are likely to compound challenges for vulnerable populations who already navigate a complex bureaucratic system for support. As the SSA plans to revert to earlier policies regarding withholding benefits—aiming to reclaim overpayments at an unprecedented rate—many worry that these recent regulatory shifts could drive recipients further from the aid they depend on.
This atmosphere of uncertainty continues to stir unrest among advocates and affected individuals alike, as they call for better transparency and consideration of the logistical barriers that these vulnerable populations face. Sandi Bachom’s sentiment echoes the anxiety many feel: “We’re all freaked out. And we shouldn’t have to be freaked out at this age that somebody is going to rob us.”
