In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures—which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone, the AP reports. Beginning March 31st, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone, and those who cannot properly verify their identity over the agency's "my Social Security" online service will be required to visit an agency field office in person to complete the verification process, agency leadership told reporters Tuesday. The change will apply to new Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information.
Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access. The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers. "This is a common sense measure," says Leland Dudek, the agency's acting commissioner, because one problem with eliminating fraudulent claims is that "the information that we use through knowledge-based authentication is already in the public domain."
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