Starting April 14, 2025, millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits will need to follow a new rule to keep getting their monthly payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has introduced a new policy to stop fraud and make sure benefits go only to the right people.
This change is part of a bigger plan by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a team formed under the Trump administration. Their goal is to improve government services and make programs like Social Security safer and more efficient.
What Is the New Social Security Rule?
From April 14, 2025, people who are registering for Social Security for the first time or trying to make changes to their account will need to verify their identity in person. That means they must go to an SSA office and show proof that they are who they say they are.
If someone doesn’t do this, their account might be flagged as inactive or suspicious, and their benefits could be paused or stopped.
Why Is This Change Happening?
The SSA found that millions of dollars in Social Security benefits were being wrongly paid to people who had already passed away. This happened because there wasn’t a strong system in place to check identities for every account.
To stop this from happening again, the SSA is making identity checks stricter. By requiring in-person verification, they hope to protect taxpayer money and make sure only eligible people receive benefits.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
You will need to go through in-person identity verification if:
- You are applying for Social Security benefits for the first time
- You are requesting changes to your Social Security account but do not use a My Social Security online account
If you already use a secure My Social Security account online, this new rule may not apply to you.
Who Is Exempt from the New Rule?
According to Acting SSA Commissioner Lee Dudek, not everyone has to follow this new requirement. These groups are exempt:
- People applying for Medicare
- People applying for Disability Insurance
- People applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
These programs already require other types of identity checks during the application process, so extra steps aren’t needed.
Why the Rule Was Delayed
Originally, this new rule was supposed to start earlier. But the SSA pushed the date back by two weeks to allow time for employee training. This way, workers at Social Security offices can help people better when they come in for their ID checks.
What Beneficiaries Should Do Now
If you think this rule might apply to you, it’s important to:
- Check if you use a My Social Security account
- If not, and you’re making changes or applying for benefits, get ready to go in person
- Bring official ID, like a driver’s license or passport, when you visit the SSA office
Doing this will help make sure your Social Security payments continue without any issues.