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Trump Administration Delays New Social Security Verification Rules After Public Outcry

The SSA postpones in-person identity verification requirements to April 14 and exempts key vulnerable groups, while service cuts and staffing reductions continue to strain operations.

Demonstrators gather outside the Edward A. Garmatz United States District Courthouse in Baltimore on March 14, 2025, before a hearing regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's access to Social Security data.
The Social Security Administration recently announced significant changes to how it handles identity verification for individuals applying for benefits. 
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Protesters rally for Social Security on March 22, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Overview

  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) has delayed the implementation of stricter in-person identity verification rules to April 14, exempting Medicare, SSDI, and SSI applicants from the requirement.
  • Staffing cuts, office closures, and reduced phone services have led to widespread delays, website crashes, and phone wait times of up to 4-5 hours, impacting millions of beneficiaries.
  • Public backlash, including protests and advocacy from groups like AARP and Social Security Works, has pressured the administration to adjust some policies but not reverse broader service reductions.
  • Critics argue that the Trump administration's reforms, led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are part of a push toward privatization, raising concerns about the future of Social Security.
  • Leadership instability, with four commissioners in five months, and concerns over DOGE's access to private data have further undermined trust in the SSA's governance and transparency.