Background
The Social Security Administration recently announced new identity proofing requirements. Starting April 14th, all individuals applying for Social Security Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary benefits, as well as those wishing to change their direct deposit information, must apply either in-person at a local Social Security office or online through MySocialSecurity. Note that as of March 29, 2025, all beneficiaries who had created MySocialSecurity accounts prior to 9/12/2021 must now transition to Login.gov or ID.me at their next login.
Individuals applying for SSDI, SSI, and Medicare will still have the option of applying over telephone if they are unable to apply online. Additionally, SSA is currently developing a process that will allow individuals with terminal cases and prisoner pre-release scenarios to also bypass in-person appointment requirements.
Updates from Social Security are posted regularly to their website; interested readers can subscribe to have new changes emailed to them here.