The Social Security Administration ("SSA") is taking new steps to protect benefits. When filing for benefits, or updating your direct deposit information, SSA will require that you verify your identity. The easiest way to do this is to set up a "My SSA Account." The link to setup a "My SSA Account" is available at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ .
If you are unable to set up a "My SSA Account," then SSA will require that you make an appointment or stop by your local field office to verify your identity before they will process an application for benefits. Wait times at SSA's field offices, even with appointments, can be extremely long. We, therefore, recommend that you set up your "My SSA Account" online before we file for benefits to ensure that your claim is processed by SSA in a timely manner.
For those of you who choose to visit your local office , rather than set up a "My SSA" account, pack your patience. SSA is operating with less staff. There have been offices closed in certain areas. These identity-confirming measures are not something the field offices have decided to do on a whim.
The Commissioner, and his executive team, have ordered the field offices to add these verification procedures to their already growing workloads. Do not take the long lines out on the SSA employees. Remember, they are doing the best that they can in challenging circumstances. Bring a book with you. Download something to watch on your phone. Chitchat with the security guard. I swear to you...I have never met a security guard stationed at a SSA office who is not kind and understanding.
We do not know why these additional security measures are being taken. The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representative ("NOSSCR") is looking into the matter, as there has been no verified evidence of fraud that warranted this additional step. Keep in mind, when you apply for benefits, you already must answer multiple pages of questions which verify your identity. This is why I have to schedule 90-minute intake appointments when I am retaining a claimant who needs to file for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. After all, I am not privy to your private information until you make me privy to it.
I apologize for this additional step in the benefit process. I know it can be challenging to use online services, or visit your local SSA field office, depending on your disability or age. Please understand that this additional step is also burdening your local SSA field office. Have compassion for them. I get as frustrated as you do dealing with the local SSA field offices, but they are also having to come to work every day and be told that their work has little value or merit, or even worse, if you read Elon's Musk's recent tweet absolving Hitler, Stalin and Mao of their atrocities and laying blame with "public sector employees."
SSA has it problems.....believe me, it most certainly does. However, the employees do not deserve to be marginalized and brutalized in the way that they have been over the last three months by people who want to dismantle the system without taking the time to learn the processes and procedures first, so the problems can be fixed correctly. I have no problem taking someone to task who does not do their job and I am sure there are some SSA employees who will tell you I have the tact of comedian Bill Burr. However, the vast majority of the people who work at SSA are just trying to help you. They are someone's mother, father, daughter, son, brother, sister, child, auntie, or uncle. Please keep that in mind as we continue to adjust to the changes at SSA.
Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need
us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful
information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the
Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions
at megan@westcoastdisability.com or
call me at (800) 459-3017 x 101.
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