Social Security Administration Backtracks On Part Of Trump's 'Identity Proofing' Policy

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has delayed the implementation of new rules requiring Social Security claimants to confirm their identities in-person at field offices if they can’t do it online.

In an announcement, the Social Security Administration also said Wednesday that people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income claimants would be exempted from the forthcoming changes.

“We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country’s most vulnerable populations,” acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek said in a press release.

Dudek announced last week that Social Security would strengthen its identity proofing requirements in order to prevent benefits fraud, which emerged this year as a top concern of President Donald Trump and his chainsaw-wielding adviser Elon Musk.

Applicants for either retirement or disability benefits, or those calling to change their bank account direct deposit information, have been allowed to prove their identities in part by answering personal questions over the phone. The new policy aims to push more claimants toward the agency’s website, and if they can’t log on, then they’ll have to make a trip to one of Social Security’s 1,200 field offices around the country.

Democrats and advocates for seniors and people with disabilities have warned requiring field office visits could be an unfair burden. In particular, people applying for Supplemental Security Income — a disability program of last resort for people without substantial work histories, with monthly benefits topping out at $967 — could potentially struggle with the new rules.

“It is rare for someone applying for Supplemental Security Income benefits online. Most people have to do some portion of the application over the phone, usually through a scheduled interview,” said a disability advocate speaking anonymously so as not to jeopardize grant funding.

The new procedures will remain in place for retirement beneficiaries, which represent the majority of the Social Security Administration’s caseload, with 52 million retired workers on benefits compared to about 7 million on SSI and 8 million receiving disability insurance.

AARP’s Nancy LeaMond called the delay a good first step but reiterated AARP’s demand to cancel the policy altogether.

“Ending phone service and requiring in-person office visits would have a very serious impact on older Americans everywhere,” LeaMond said. “Our members nationwide have told us this change would require hundreds of miles and hours of travel merely to fill out paperwork.”

Dudek acknowledged in a meeting with outside stakeholders this week that the phone service changes are rushed, but said he’s on orders from the White House.

“The leadership above me believes that we should do a rapid rollout,” Dudek said.