Social Security requiring in-office visits for millions of recipients, applicants
(The Hill) — The Social Security Administration (SSA) said Monday that it will no longer allow individuals to verify their identity over the phone but instead require online authentication or in-person visits for those seeking benefit claims and direct deposit changes.
'SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency's online my Social Security services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim cannot be completed until the individual's identity is verified in person,' according to their website.
'The agency therefore recommends calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction,' it added.
Changes are set to go into full effect on March 31, impacting more than 72 million Americans who rely on the platform amid a slew of planned office closures across the country.
The Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) website says it plans to shut down at least 47 Social Security field offices in places with large rural communities, including Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas and Florida.
Many in those areas relied on the Affordable Connectivity Program for increased access to the internet through discounted services bills. However, the program shut down in June 2024 due to a lack of funding from Congress.
AFT sues Education Department over removal of IDR student loan applications
Now Social Security beneficiaries will be required to travel to alter their social security benefits and account services.
DOGE said the changes will help prevent Social Security direct deposit fraud associated with 'fraudsters' calling SSA on the phone and changing the direct deposit bank account.
The SSA added that it plans to implement the Treasury Department's Bureau of the Fiscal Service's payment integrity service called Account Verification Service, which provides instant bank verification services to prevent fraud associated with direct deposit change requests.
It will also expedite processing for all direct deposit change requests to one business day. In the past, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.
'For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service,' Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a Monday statement.
The agency website said SSA will continue to monitor and, if necessary, make adjustments, to ensure it pays the 'right person the right amount at the right time' while safeguarding the benefits and programs it administers.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘High price': Grim warning after AUKUS move
Australia will have 'a very high price to pay if AUKUS fails', opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor says. The warning came after the US Department of Defence launched a review of the trilateral pact with Australia and the UK to ensure it aligned with Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda. The Albanese government has brushed off concerns the move signals waning US support for the alliance with Canberra, with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles saying it was 'natural that the (Trump) administration would want to examine this major undertaking'. But with AUKUS the centrepiece of Australia's defence strategy over the first half of this century, it has offered little reassurance. 'This is an incredibly important alliance,' Mr Taylor said on Friday. 'It's an incredibly important capability, both in terms of the submarine capability and the technology capability … and this must be a top priority of the government.' He said the Albanese government had 'many questions to answer'. 'What discussions has Richard Marles already had? To what extent is our lack of defence spending a driver of this review? When will the Prime Minister meet with the President to actually discuss this face-to-face?' he queried. 'These are questions we need answers to, and they're questions that go to the heart of making sure that AUKUS is a success and that we ensure that we have peace through deterrence in our region.' NewsWire understands Anthony Albanese was set to meet the US President on the sidelines of the upcoming G7. But US State Department sources said a time had not been set and the situation was 'fluid'. 'No submarines' Canberra has already spent billions laying the groundwork to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines and train personnel to crew them under AUKUS. Washington has committed to supply up to five Virginia-class submarines starting in 2032. But sluggish submarine production has put the US on track to face a shortage early next decade. To help bolster production, Australia has agreed to inject $4.6bn into the US defence industrial base. Mr Marles said on Thursday he was 'confident' the production rate was on track. 'And we are seeing real progress – increases in both production and sustainment – associated with what we're doing with AUKUS and what the Americans themselves are doing,' Mr Marles told the ABC. 'That's what is set out in the agreement that we already have with the United States, which forms part of the treaty that we now have between the US and the UK. 'I think it's completely appropriate for this administration to have a look at all of the facts and figures around that.' Malcolm Turnbull, who was prime minister during Mr Trump's first term, took a different view. Also speaking to the ABC, he said it was 'very likely' Australia would end up 'having no submarines'. 'The latest numbers given to the congress by the navy on 11 March this year was that the rate of production is 1.1 per annum,' Mr Turnbull said. 'They need to get to two by 2028 to be able to meet their own requirements, and to 2.33 to meet their own plus Australia's. 'And they have not been able to lift production rates despite the expenditure of over $10bn over the last six or seven years.'So they've got a real problem there.' Mr Trump can renege on Washington's AUKUS commitments if they put US national security at risk.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Louisiana lawmakers push for transparency in drug pricing, bill advances
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A bill aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) has passed and is awaiting the governor's signature. HB 264, authored by Michael Echols (R-La.), is geared towards ensuring fair reimbursement and transparency in drug pricing. The bill redefines the term rebate, which would include a wide range of discounts received by PBMs. These changes are meant to highlight how PBMs negotiate and profit from deals with drug manufacturers. It would also allow PBMs to label certain submitted information as confidential. The Commissioner of Insurance would have the authority to review PBM records and compensation structures and ensure reasonable reimbursements. Donald Trump Jr. took to social media, asking Louisiana to pass HB 358, which would allow a pharmacy technician to work remotely in certain circumstances. 'It's time to pass HB358 and end the charade that costs hard-working Americans so much money when buying prescription drugs. Enough is Enough!' Trump wrote. EBR Metro Council picks new advisor for Raising Canes River Center redevelopment project 'It's a big problem in Baton Rouge': Authorities suspect human trafficking in massage parlors College Drive flyover project complete, brings relief to Baton Rouge drivers Louisiana lawmakers push for transparency in drug pricing, bill advances Judge blocks Trump's National Guard deployment in Los Angeles Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNBC
2 hours ago
- CNBC
Gold tops 1-month high as Middle East tensions spur safe-haven demand
Gold prices climbed on Friday to their highest point in more than a month, on track for a weekly gain, as investors sought safe-haven assets after Israel's strike on Iran heightened Middle East tensions. Spot gold was up 1.3% at $3,428.28 an ounce, as of 0134 GMT, after hitting its highest level since May 7 earlier in the session. Bullion has gained more than 3.5% so far this week. U.S. gold futures gained 1.4% to $3,449.60. Geopolitical tensions escalated after Israel struck Iran as tensions mounted over U.S. efforts to halt Iran's production of atomic bomb materials. "This latest spike in hostilities in the Middle East has taken the focus off trade negotiations for now, with investors making a play towards safe-haven assets in response," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. Israel declared a state of emergency, citing expected missile and drone attacks from Tehran, and the U.S. military is preparing for various contingencies in the Middle East, including potential assistance with evacuating American civilians, a U.S. official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "Gold surged past resistance around the $3400 on news of the airstrikes, and further upside could be in-store should the escalation continue," Waterer said. Signaling a cooling U.S. labor market and subdued inflation pressures, the number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits held at an eight-month high last week, while slowing domestic demand helped to restrain producer prices in May. The data released a day after the Labor Department reported a moderate rise in consumer prices in May, bolstered expectations of an earlier rate cut. Traders are now expecting a 55-basis-point rate cut by the year-end, starting in September rather than October as previously anticipated. Elsewhere, spot silver edged down 0.1% at $36.33 per ounce, platinum fell 0.8% to $1,285.21, while palladium was steady at $1,055.21. All three metals were headed for weekly gain.
