By Lisa Rein and Justine McDaniel
The Social Security Administration said Tuesday it has implemented new measures that would require Americans who start their claims by phone to verify their identity using the online system or provide documentation in person at a field office beginning March 31.
The Trump administration said Tuesday that the steps would improve security and “further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity.” Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Lee Dudek in a statement framed the change as better protecting Americans while “expediting service.”
In an internal memo, however — reported by The Washington Post on Monday — the acting deputy commissioner for operations, Doris Diaz, told Dudek that the change would cause longer wait times, longer processing times and “increased challenges for vulnerable populations” and estimated that 75,000 to 85,000 customers per week would be diverted to local field offices.
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