This is a developing story.
After significant pushback from advocacy groups and lawmakers, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has reversed its initial plan that would have required all applications for retirement and survivor benefits to be filed online or in person.
SSA originally announced that on Monday, April 14, they would implement new procedures affecting how individuals apply for retirement and survivor benefits. Under these changes, Americans seeking these benefits will see modified phone service options with new anti-fraud verification measures in place.
Instead, the agency will continue to accept phone applications and will now perform anti-fraud checks on all telephone claims. Only applications flagged for potential fraud – estimated to be about 70,000 out of 4.5 million annual phone claims – will require in-person identity verification at a Social Security field office.
The policy changes are part of broader efforts to reduce fraud while maintaining essential services. The White House has stated that new anti-fraud software will help identify anomalies and flag potential fraud during telephone interactions.
For more information about these changes and how they might affect your benefits application, please visit the official Social Security Administration website or call their national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213.
