Effective March 31, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will require identity verification either online or in person.  Individuals will be able to verify their identity in ther mySocialSecurity account.  Individuals who are unable to do that will need to verify their identity in person at a Social Security office.

People who cannot start their claims online will be able to start their claims by telephone, but the claim will not be completed until the person does in person identity verification.

Social Security will also complete changes to direct deposit in one day.  (Social Security Matters, March 18, 2025.)

UPDATE:

The effective date of the identity verification requirement is now April 14, 2025.  Medicare, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income will be exempt from the in-person identity verification requirement.  Individuals applying for those programs who cannot use a personal mySocialSecurity account will be able to complete their applications by telephone without needing to come to an office in person.

Individuals applying for retirement, survivors or auxiliary benefits who cannot use mySocialSecurity to verify their identity will need to come to an office in person.  Social Security will not enforce this requirement in extreme dire-need situation such as terminal illness or prisoner pre-release.

Individuals who do not or cannot use mySocialSecurity to change their direct deposit information will need to come to a Social Security office in person to process that change.  (Social Security Press Release, March 26, 2025.)

 

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will increase the default overpayment withholding rate for collection of Social Security overpayments to 100 percent of a person’s monthly benefit effective March 27, 2025.  The increase will apply to overpayments of Social Security benefits established on or after March 27, 2025. People can contact Social Security to request a lower repayment rate.  This reverses a Biden-administration policy about the default rate of withholding for overpayment collection, summarized here.

People continue to have the right to appeal overpayment determinations.  People can also request waiver of the overpayment.  Social Security will not pursue recovery while an initial appeal or a waiver request is pending.  (Press Release, March 7, 2025.)

In general, Social Security Disability or SSI benefits stop if a minor who is receiving benefits is found to no longer be disabled after a redetermination based on the adult disability standard at age 18.  However, benefits can continue for minors who turn 18 but are found not to meet the adult disability standard if they are participating in an appropriate vocational rehabilitation program or similar service that began before the month disability ended, participation in the program will likely result in no longer receiving disability benefits.

Examples of appropriate programs include an Individual Education Plan for age 18 to 21, a vocational rehabilitation program that uses an individualized plan for employment, supportive services that use an individualized written employment plan, a written service plan with a school under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or an approved Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS). (Social Security Dear Colleague Letter October 30, 2024.)

Beginning January 6, 2025, Social Security will require customers to schedule an appointment for in-person services at a field office.  Customers can call their local Social Security office, or 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment.

Social Security will not turn away people who cannot or do not want to make an appointment.

(Social Security Dear Colleague Letter November 13, 2024.)

People can now apply for SSI online.  The online application is available for people who:

1. Are 18-64 years and 10 months and applying for SSI and SSDI.
2. Have never been married.
3. Have never applied for SSI for themselves or a child; and
4. Are U.S. citizens or noncitizens

The online application is available on the Social Security website, https://www.ssa.gov/ssi

(Social Security Matters, December 16, 2024.)

The Social Security Administration has issued an updated POMS about collateral estoppel and disability claims.  Collateral estoppel can apply when an individual receiving Social Security or SSI files a disability claim under a different title or for a different benefit under the same title. Collateral estoppel requires the Social Security administration to adopt a prior disability finding without needing to develop a new medical claims when:

1. The prior claim was for the same time period as the new application
2. Both the prior claim and the new claim apply the same definition of disability
3. Social Security has not made an intervening medical determination or decision finding that disability has ceased
4. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the prior onset date
5. The prior onset date is on or before the nonmedical requirements for the new claim are met
6. The prior favorable decision is not in terminated status
7. Social Security does not have reason to believe the prior determination or decision was wrong.

If the prior claim is in suspense status when the new claim is filed, Social Security will try to resolve the suspense issue.  If the suspense issue cannot be resolved when processing the new claim, Social Security will apply collateral estoppel if the suspense issue does not result in denial of the new claim.

The prior favorable disability determination is adopted even if a continuing disability review is pending for the prior claim.  (Social Security Dear Colleague Letter, July 16, 2024 and POMS DI 11011.001.)