In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures.

Summary

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will require in-person identity verification for new applicants and recipients changing direct deposit, ending phone-based verification.

The move comes as the agency plans to close 47 offices and lay off thousands of workers. Critics warn it will burden seniors, disabled individuals, and rural residents.

Democrats accuse Trump and Musk of undermining Social Security to push privatization.

Unions have sued to block DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security data.

  • Bob Robertson IX @discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    1·
    5 hours ago

    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 headline and the summary are omitting this very important part: ‘those who cannot use their online service’. The change from the trump administration is complete bullshit, but the article isn’t doing any favors by making it sound like an in-person visit is the only way to interact with SSA.

    What we need to do is create community groups that are able to pick up this slack. Check in on people on Social Security, bring computers and mobile hotspots to people’s homes to help them. Credit Unions should offer this service when someone on Social Security opens a new account and will need to have their checks coming to a new account. If someone does need to go to a Social Security office then people in the community should make sure they have a ride. People could even setup shop outside of a Social Security office to help people who may not actually need be at the Social Security office, which will help to ease the strain on the SSA, opening up spots for people who actually need to be there.

    It is bullshit, but we can’t rely on the government any more and we need to build community systems to help those that trump is letting down.

    • SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world
      1·
      5 hours ago

      It’s called incrementalism

      It’s still possible on paper to get benefits, but now all the tech illiterate disabled people have no way to obtain SS without assistance. There are now qualified people who will be prevented from obtaining this servic that is promised to them.

      Next they will try a change that effectively kicks another qualified group off assistance. But idiots will still flock to comments to shit out the “It still possible” argument.

      Maybe don’t make shitty excuses for fascists?

      Also community will never replace tax dollars unless you feel like donating 15-25% of your income to your HOA

      • Bob Robertson IX @discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        1·
        3 hours ago

        Who’s making excuses? I believe I made it abundantly clear that these changes are bullshit. But it is also shitty journalism to heavily imply that everyone on Social Security is going to have to start going to a SSA office in person, when that is not the case.

        And yes, community won’t be able to replace this system… but maybe we should still try, because like it or not, the fascists are currently in control and we need to do something to cover the gap between when things start getting bad (now) to when things are really bad (later) to when things are hopefully getting better (much later). But assholes will still flock to the comments to fight amongst themselves screaming that the lack of a perfect solution means we shouldn’t do anything.