The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that beneficiaries will not be required to visit local field offices for routine account updates if they do not choose to use the new authentication PIN feature. The agency had initially planned to implement this policy in mid-August, which would have resulted in an estimated 3.4 million more annual office visits and potentially increased wait times and processing delays.
However, the SSA clarified that the use of the Security Authentication PIN (SAP) feature is entirely optional for beneficiaries. Beneficiaries will still be able to manage their benefits over the phone using the existing identity verification process when calling the National 800 Number.
The move is a significant change from the agency’s previous plan, which would have affected primarily seniors, people with disabilities, and bereaved families. The SSA has also reduced office staff by thousands in recent years, which has raised concerns about the impact on service levels.
Critics had expressed concern that requiring PIN usage or field office visits could be a hardship for vulnerable populations, such as rural residents and those living on fixed incomes. However, the SSA has assured that beneficiaries will not be required to use the SAP feature unless they choose to do so.
The agency’s shift towards increasing security measures is aimed at reducing fraud and improving the integrity of the system. The SSA estimates that this policy change could result in significant savings for the agency, as it aims to recover billions of dollars in overpaid benefits. Over 68 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, which are often their primary source of income.
In related news, the SSA has also implemented new policies to reduce wait times and improve service levels. These changes include increasing payment withholding rates for beneficiaries with overpayment debts and streamlining the appeals process for those affected by these changes.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-change-august-2107146