The Social Security Administration (SSA) said Monday it will no longer allow individuals to verify their identity over the phone but instead require online authentication or in-person visits for those seeking benefit claims and direct deposit changes.
“SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim cannot be completed until the individual’s identity is verified in person,” a blog post on the SSA website reads.
As usual for MAGA actions, no data is provided. Therefore, also as usual, there are good reasons to think this is just a ruse to make Social Security hard to access. I asked my friend Pxy (Perplexity) for it's "thoughts"** on the matter.
** AI does not have thoughts. It is just hardware running a software program. Humans have thoughts.
Q: Is there strong evidence that the changes in social security discussed in this article, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5202848-social-security-in-office-visits/ , would significantly improve security and decrease fraud?A: While the SSA asserts these measures will improve security, the evidence supporting significant fraud reduction remains unclear, and critics highlight risks to vulnerable populations.Criticisms and Lack of Robust Evidence
No Public Fraud Data: While the SSA references direct deposit fraud statistics, no independent or detailed reports are provided to validate claims of widespread phone-based fraud 4 7. A 2019 inspector general report identified ~20,000 online fraud cases but lacked comparable phone fraud data 4.
Contradictory Internal Assessments: An SSA memo acknowledged that fraud in phone claims is "extremely rare," as benefits aren’t disbursed until identity is verified via tax records, bank statements, or other methods 1.
Potential for Increased Harm: Advocacy groups warn that rural residents, seniors, and disabled individuals—who often lack internet access or mobility—may face delays or denial of benefits 6 7. The changes could also strain understaffed offices, with projected increases of 75,000–85,000 monthly visitors 8.
Broader Context
The SSA is simultaneously reducing staff and closing offices, raising concerns about capacity to handle in-person demands 6 8. Critics argue the policy prioritizes cost-cutting over evidence-based fraud prevention, noting that overpayment clawbacks (a separate $7 billion initiative) disproportionately harm low-income beneficiaries 4.Conclusion
While the SSA frames these changes as necessary modernization, the lack of transparent fraud data and the potential for systemic disruption undermine claims of significant security improvements. The measures appear driven more by administrative efficiency goals than demonstrated fraud risks, with marginalized populations bearing the greatest burden 1 4 6.
Welp, in view of MAGA's constant, deep mendacity and shocking malice, one can reasonably believe this is MAGA's way to attack Social Security. And, also as usual, problems at the SSA are mostly due to MAGA efforts to break the SSA so they could claim it was broken and needed to be eliminated:
Q2: Were Republicans in congress mostly responsible for long-term underfunding the SSA?A2: The long-term underfunding of the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been significantly influenced by Republican legislative priorities, particularly through budget cuts and staffing reductions.FY 2025 Budget Proposal: House Republicans advanced a $450 million cut to the SSA’s administrative budget, reducing it to $13.7 billion despite serving 7 million more beneficiaries than in 2015 9 10. Democrats warned this would force 3 million Americans to face closed/reduced field offices and worsen processing delays 9.Staffing Reductions: The SSA’s workforce is projected to fall to a 50-year low (50,000 employees) under Republican budgets, down from 57,000 in 2024 9 11. Critics note this exacerbates backlogs in disability claims, retirement applications, and customer service wait times 9.
Contextual Factors
While demographic pressures (aging population, lower birth rates) strain Social Security, bipartisan inaction has compounded the issue 12. However, Republican policies since 2024 have actively accelerated underfunding through austerity measures, whereas Democratic efforts focus on expanding revenue and services.
Conclusion
Republican budgets since 2024 bear primary responsibility for the SSA’s operational crisis, prioritizing tax cuts and austerity over sustainable funding. Their policies have systematically reduced staffing, closed offices, and proposed benefit cuts—all while blocking revenue solutions favored by most Americans 12 13.
Q: Whadda ya think, is this an attack on Social Security or just patriotic cutting waste, fraud and abuse?
