Important Social Security Administration Updates You Need to Know About

About Tori Thurmond

Tori Thurmond combines her creative writing background with her marketing experience in her role as the Content Specialist at Brookdale. When she's not writing, she's probably spending time with her two cats or knitting.

Earlier this year the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the upcoming implementation of updated identity verification procedures intended to enhance security and combat fraud. The new procedures will begin on April 14, 2025, and will require individuals to prove their identity if applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or changing direct deposit information for existing benefits.

If you are able, the SSA encouraged individuals to use the online portal my Social Security to complete this process. If you are unable to use Social Security’s online services, refer to the following procedures:

If you are applying for Medicare or Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income, you do not need to visit a Social Security office to prove their identity; you can prove their identity by telephone (1-800-772-1213).
If you are applying for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits, you must visit a Social Security office to prove your identity.
If you need to change direct deposit information for any type of benefit, you must prove your identity in a Social Security office.
If you are receiving payment by paper check, you must visit a Social Security office before changing your mailing address.

There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you are not applying for benefits or changing your direct deposit information. Current beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove identity. If you need to change your direct deposit information, you can change that online with your personal my Social Security account, in a Social Security office, or automatic enrollment service through your bank.

Separately, a new executive order was recently issued that mandates the federal government stop sending paper checks for any payments, including Social Security benefits, by September 30, 2025. Anyone who currently receives a paper check will need to set up direct deposit before the September deadline.