SSA Plans Force 3.4 Million Extra Annual Field Office Visits

Starting in mid-August 2025, the Social Security Administration under President Donald Trump's administration will implement a new policy requiring beneficiaries to complete a complex multifactor online verification process to conduct routine tasks by phone, such as changing addresses or requesting benefit letters. This change will force approximately 3.4 million additional people annually to visit SSA field offices in person, exacerbating existing burdens caused by significant staffing cuts and resulting in longer wait times and slower processing. Advocacy groups like the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and AARP have expressed concerns that the policy disproportionately affects older adults, especially those in rural areas or with mobility challenges, as many do not use or have reliable access to the internet. The SSA argues the policy is necessary to prevent fraud, but critics argue it was rushed without adequate public notice or stakeholder consultation. The reliance on artificial intelligence for phone services and previous staffing reductions have already increased wait times and reduced service quality, compounding the impact of the new policy. This move is viewed as creating significant new barriers for vulnerable populations who rely on Social Security services.