“The circus at the Social Security Administration continues under the ‘leadership’ of acting commissioner Leland Dudek. He announced today that SSA will postpone its new policy ending customers’ ability to validate identity for benefit claims over the phone (effectively forcing them to go online or visit a field office), though the policy now has been revised to exempt applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare.
While it is good that a bad policy is being postponed —- and that some of the least mobile, most vulernable groups are now exempted — it is still bad policy. There was no reason to end the validation of identity by phone, and limiting it in any way creates an unnecsseary hurdle for seniors and families claiming their earned benefits.
It very much appears that the decision makers at SSA — under the influence of Elon Musk and DOGE — are making up policy as they go along, and then are surprised when there is understandable public blowback, forcing them to make ad hoc adjustments like this one.
This is the opposite of the competent, responsible stewardship of Social Security that the public deserves. Dudek, Musk, and DOGE are creating nothing but distress and confusion for the millions of people who depend on these benefits to get by, while risking irreperable damage to the Social Security system.” – Max Richtman, President & CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
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Media inquiries:
Walter Gottlieb