WASHINGTON — A new plan announced this week by the Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for millions of recipients while also closing offices is sparking fear among seniors across Florida.
According to ABC News, the new plan will impact anyone who needs to verify their bank information with the agency, as well as families with children who receive Social Security benefits and cannot verify a child's information on the SSA website, 'my Social Security.'
Some seniors are worried that the new requirements will add unnecessary barriers.
“It’s an added burden. Why would we need to make some of the most vulnerable people in our society, have to jump over all these hurdles just to get service?” said Dave Yearwood.
Older beneficiaries who live in rural areas have expressed concern about how the changes could hurt them.
“I have lots of neighbors who are 25 miles from the social security office. These are elderly people who don't have easy access to transportation. We don't have any public transportation where I live,” said Maryellen Weimer.
At the same time this change was announced, 47 Social Security Administration field offices have been tabbed for closure this year with some closing as early as next month, the Associated Press reported.
The changes are reportedly to combat fraud and waste within the system, which President Donald Trump has claimed is widespread. However, the numbers cited by the president have been widely criticized and, in many cases, debunked.
According to the White House, the Social Security Administration posts $100 million in direct deposit fraud each year.
But, ABC News reported that "congressional testimony from an official with the SSA inspector general in May 2023 said that 'from January 2013 through May 2018 fraudsters redirected $33.5 million in benefits intended for 20,878 beneficiaries' and made unauthorized direct deposit changes through the agency's website."
The agency distributes roughly $1.6 trillion in old-age and disability benefits annually.
Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, said these changes could overwhelm field offices and make it harder for people to claim their earned benefits.
“They are going to be pushing millions of people overall into field offices that already are strained and it is not an exaggeration to say the system will collapse under the weight of these new requirements," Lawson said.
Leaders at the Social Security Administration said the agency will begin training frontline employees and management about the new policy.
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