By Sara Duris
Q. I heard that everyone has to prove their identity to continue getting Social Security benefits. Is that true?
A. No, proving your identity is not something everyone has to do to continue receiving Social Security benefits. There has been a lot of concern and misinformation about steps that the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently has taken to reduce fraud. In short, SSA is strengthening the process to prove identity related to direct deposit information, so these changes only impact individuals first applying to use direct deposit, or current beneficiaries who want to change the direct deposit information they have on file.
The SSA states that the easiest and most secure way to manage your benefits and communicate with SSA is by having a MySocialSecurity account. Anyone wishing to apply for benefits or change banking information for existing benefits can do so securely through a personal MySocialSecurity online account. Go to www.ssa.gov to open an account. You do not have to be receiving Social Security benefits to set up your account.
If unable to use Social Security’s online services, individuals will need to prove their identity on the phone or in person, depending on the service needed. The following circumstances explain the options for someone without an online account. A person:
- applying for Medicare or Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income does not need to visit a Social Security office to prove their identity. They can prove their identity by telephone.
- applying for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits must visit a Social Security office to prove their identity.
- changing direct deposit information for any type of benefit must visit a Social Security office to prove their identity
- receiving payment by paper check must visit a Social Security office before changing their mailing address.
Additionally, no action needs to be taken if nothing has changed for you as a beneficiary. You do not need to contact Social Security to continue your monthly benefits at your current bank.
Q. Our mom says someone from Social Security called to tell her she had been overpaid, and they needed her Social Security and bank account numbers to adjust her payment. Luckily, she decided to check with us before she gave any personal information. How can we report this?
A. It is very fortunate your mother didn’t fall for this common scam and potentially lose funds. While Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes, asking for this type of information is a red flag for a scam call. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter. Social Security will never contact you via social media or by text message to provide or confirm information about your identity.
If you suspect you have received a scam call, or you have been scammed, report this as soon as possible by calling 1-844-USAGOV1 (1-844-872-4681) or filing a report with the Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Reminder: Older Americans Month, Older Michiganians Day, and Senior Action Week are coming in May, with activities, events and advocacy opportunities that let advocates understand and lend their support to issues of importance for older adults in Michigan. Elected officials respond in an immediate and personal way to individual constituents. Your advocacy helps legislators understand how policies affect their constituents.
Join us at our 18th Annual Legislative Forum on Monday, April 28, from 2-4pm, at the Campus for Creative Aging, 2920 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, MI. Take advantage of this opportunity to talk directly to state legislators and their staff!
Sara Duris is community information liaison of Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810 or visit areaagencyonaging.org. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.