Plenty of seniors across the country are feeling a chill down their figurative retirement spine. Many are concerned about how the announced Social Security Administration cuts might shake up their benefits and access to help. And it’s no wonder, given that President Donald Trump plans to cut spending… Social Security Administration included.
The SSA has revealed plans to slash around 7,000 jobs and shut down six of its ten regional offices, all part of a bigger cost-cutting spree from the Trump administration and DOGE. President Trump has assured the public that Social Security checks won’t be touched, but older Americans know better.
Their fear? That these cuts could lead to long waits, missed payments, or less help when they need it most. After all, nobody wants their golden years jammed up by red tape.
Verification at the SSA Offices
The Trump administration’s latest policy twist now requires both new and current Social Security recipients to verify their identity online or show up in person—despite plans to close over 40 field offices under the watch of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Officials say the goal is to crack down on fraud and mistaken payouts, which added up to $72 billion between 2015 and 2022. Still, that figure amounts to less than one percent of all benefits handed out over that stretch.
Advocates are ringing alarm bells, warning that these new hoops could trip up seniors and people with disabilities—many of whom already struggle with mobility, internet access, or both.
This change is going to hit hard for anyone who finds the SSA’s online verification system more confusing than helpful.
That includes folks who aren’t exactly tech-savvy—think many seniors and individuals with disabilities, the very groups Social Security was designed to support. It also puts families with children in a tricky spot, since minors can’t open their own My Social Security accounts. Their parents or guardians will need to show up in person at an SSA office to handle any paperwork or ID checks—assuming they can find an office still open.
And let’s not forget people without a driver’s license or smartphone. If you’re not carrying digital credentials, the new rules may have you jumping through hoops just to keep your benefits on track. For many, it’s starting to feel like Social Security is getting less social and more security.
How to Prove Who You Are to the SSA
Usually, when someone tries to prove who they are over the phone, they’re asked a few questions that only they should know—like a pop quiz on their own life.
It’s the same trick banks and mortgage lenders use when you can’t log into your account. You call them up, they ask you a handful of those “only you would know” questions, and you’re back in business. That’s the method SSA’s been using too—it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
Sure, it’s not flawless—no ID system really is—but it’s a tried-and-true approach that keeps most of the fakes at bay. After all, identity theft shouldn’t be a multiple-choice test. If you can verify your identity online and handle things digitally, then sure—everything moves quicker. Fast lane access comes with a login.
But here’s the rub: if this new policy forces you to head into a Social Security office, don’t expect anything fast. It could take more than a month just to update your info. First, there’s the infamous two-hour phone hold just to get a call back for an appointment. Then, once you finally score that slot, you’re looking at a four-week wait—if you’re lucky.
So unless you’re a tech-savvy wizard, get ready to hurry up and wait. Social Security might want things more secure, but for many folks, it’s starting to feel more like slow security.
