Social Security's New Policies Increase In-Person Visits and Strain Services

The Social Security Administration is implementing a new online authentication process that will require seniors to verify their identity online or visit field offices for routine tasks, raising concerns about accessibility for older and rural populations, despite agency claims that visits to field offices will not increase. The policy aims to combat fraud but may complicate access for some beneficiaries, with critics arguing there is no evidence that phone-based identity verification leads to fraud.