Mandatory Identity Proofing Rules for Benefit Applications

Under regulations established in mid-2025, the SSA changed how citizens apply for specific benefit categories. If you plan to apply for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (spouse and child) benefits, you must establish your identity through one of two strict pathways: online through a verified digital account or in person at an SSA field office.

In the past, applicants could call the SSA telephone service center at 1-800-772-1213 to complete their entire retirement application over the phone without prior online identity proofing. The SSA eliminated that option for Retirement, Survivors, and Auxiliary claims. If you cannot or choose not to verify your identity online, you may still call the telephone service center, but the representative will only use that call to schedule an mandatory in-person appointment for you at a local field office.

Important exemptions remain in place to protect vulnerable populations. The SSA exempts the following programs from mandatory in-person identity proofing:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Applicants can continue to complete their claims online, over the phone, or in person.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Low-income individuals and aged or disabled applicants can complete claims via telephone without requiring online verification.
• Medicare Benefits: Initial enrollment and enrollment adjustments remain accessible through telephone representatives without requiring prior digital account setup.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the correct application path and avoid unexpected administrative delays when claiming your benefits.