Former U.S. Social Security head says benefits could be interrupted in 30 to 90 days

[gamb00ler]

On 3/11/2025 at 3:29 PM, Harrisfan said:

Verbose 

 

Abounding in words, containing more words than necessary. Long winded, or windy.

The proof is in the pudding...... post count.

[gamb00ler]

double posted

[rough diamond]

On 3/11/2025 at 3:29 PM, Harrisfan said:

Verbose 

 

Abounding in words, containing more words than necessary. Long winded, or windy.

Just "like" all your posts that few appear to actually "like".

[KhunLA]

Let me guess, he's now an unemployed Dem, maybe Biden appointee, booted by new administration. 

 

NO bias there. 

 

Every new budget, and they always state, if not approved, SS will be affected, but never is, as it runs on autopilot.  

 

Just another thread started by a sore loser.

[gamb00ler]

22 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Every new budget, and they always state, if not approved, SS will be affected, but never is, as it runs on autopilot.  

If you ever have some complication in your SS claim you'll soon discover how the inept 'autopilot' system performs... it isn't pretty.

 

My problems started about 15 years ago when I questioned why one year my self-employment earnings weren't credited to my work record.  I called SSA's toll free assistance and was given what amounted to a guess instead of a real answer.  At the time I didn't know much about SS and how it is supposed to work, so I let their response slide.  About 7 years later the same error was repeated and I decided I just can't let their errors continue..... fast forward to today.... one of their errors has still not been corrected despite several filings complete with proof provided by the IRS records.

 

In the course of 4 applications filed by the wife and I.... they have yet to complete one without serious errors or unbearable delays.

[KhunLA]

8 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

If you ever have some complication in your SS claim you'll soon discover how the inept 'autopilot' system performs... it isn't pretty.

 

My problems started about 15 years ago when I questioned why one year my self-employment earnings weren't credited to my work record.  I called SSA's toll free assistance and was given what amounted to a guess instead of a real answer.  At the time I didn't know much about SS and how it is supposed to work, so I let their response slide.  About 7 years later the same error was repeated and I decided I just can't let their errors continue..... fast forward to today.... one of their errors has still not been corrected despite several filings complete with proof provided by the IRS records.

 

In the course of 4 applications filed by the wife and I.... they have yet to complete one without serious errors or unbearable delays.

24.5 years now, and it's been on auto pilot for me, with no issues.  Every budget stall, every govt shutdown, govt lay offs and the DD just keep on coming on time, and you could set a Swiss watch to 'em 

[bamnutsak]

Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One Day

March 18, 2025 • By Social Security Administration

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity. Over the next two weeks, SSA will carefully transition to stronger identity proofing procedures for both benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Individuals seeking these services who cannot use their personal my Social Security account, which requires online identity proofing, will then need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. At the same time, the agency will expedite processing all direct deposit change requests – both in person and online – to one business day. Prior to this change, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.

 

The agency’s two-week transition plan includes training frontline employees and management about the new policy and careful monitoring of policy compliance. At the conclusion of the transition period, on March 31, 2025, SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim cannot be completed until the individual’s identity is verified in person. The agency therefore recommends calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction. Individuals with and without an appointment will need to prove identity before starting a transaction. Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to change their direct deposit information, can visit a local office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment.

 

https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-strengthens-identity-proofing-requirements-and-expedites-direct-deposit-changes-to-one-day/

[Jingthing]

So some people will need to fly back to the U.S. just to visit a SS office?
Sure sounds like it, eh?

[Cryingdick]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:41 PM, hotsun said:

The left has no power anymore, so they just fearmonger

 

[Hawaiian]

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

So some people will need to fly back to the U.S. just to visit a SS office?
Sure sounds like it, eh?

Applicants and existing beneficiaries may use the SS office in Manila for in person visits.

[SiSePuede419]

Republicans claim Democrats are showing up to complain at Townhalls.

 

Democrats are showing up.

 

To Democratic Townhalls.  And they're complaining.

 

That Democrats aren't doing enough to stop Trump. 😭

 

Here's an idea...

 

Why don't the Republicans show up?

 

And tell Republicans and Democrats how wonderful Trümputin LLC is doin'

 

WHAT A GLOROIUS PARADISE BE! 🌴

 

Answer please? 😄

[sqwakvfr]

"I am inevitable", Thanos.  I think this is the beginning of what is inevitable.  US entitlement programs(SSA, SSDI and even Medicare) at current rates of paying out are not sustainable.  Eventually the music stops and reality strikes many of us straight in the face.  I am almost 62 and recently applied for SS.  I do not expect anything. I expect the process to be long and difficult.  I planned and sacrificed in my 30's, 40's and 50's to ensure financialy sustainability in my old age without SS.  If the money  comes in then great. If the money does not come in then too bad and life goes on.  

 

Recently I saw Bernie Sanders repeat the same line "the richest nation in the world should offer free health care".  Memo to Bernie and AOC:  The US is no longer a rich nation.  If just has some who are rich and this does not mean the nation itself is rich. The US is a debtor nation(36 Trillion and counting, 1 trillion in debt interest payments and budget deficits just about evey year).  The Federal Government is not alone in fiscal problems because the largest state (CA) has a 40+ billion budget defict and Los Angeles has a 1 billion budget deficit and is planning on layoffs,  I can't remember when was the last time LA was planning on layoffs.  Also, several smaller cities in CA are pretty  much in the same fiscal position as LA is.  

 

This was all inevitable and Trump along with the Tesla guy are just accelerating what has been inevitable for a very long time. The difference now is Trump and the Tesla guy are the bad guys and people have a target to vent their anger at. 

[Halman]

7 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Applicants and existing beneficiaries may use the SS office in Manila for in person visits.

 

You think that Manila office is going to stay open?   Absolutely zero chance of that.  I'm sure all foreign SS offices will be closed soon. 

[Hawaiian]

22 minutes ago, Halman said:

 

You think that Manila office is going to stay open?   Absolutely zero chance of that.  I'm sure all foreign SS offices will be closed soon. 

I was expecting a comment like yours.  Very possible, but not guaranteed it will be shut down.

[Jingthing]

I heard due to massive objections, that the phone service will not be cut off. Of course even if it stays, we know for a fact that staff has been drastically cut so that obviously means even longer waits for service (which was already very bad).

To add, a while back I posted some insider "good news" from an actual contact who works the phones at SS (well did anyway) who said they had changed their policy to allow expats who had benefits terminated because of them not getting the "proof of life" form to resolve that over the phone without the need for a new form (as much of the world has nonexistent post services, etc.). I would be shocked if this liberalization will carry forward to the post Musk chainsaw SS administration. Sigh.

Anyway, I do think expats on SS are especially vulnerable to problems now and we should all monitor our monthly payments and to always stay on top of the proof of life form, etc.

[bamnutsak]

Correcting the Record About Social Security Direct Deposit and Telephone Services

March 12, 2025 • By Social Security Administration

 

If someone needs to change their bank account information on SSA’s record, they will need to either:

 

Use two-factor authentication with SSA’s “my Social Security” service; or

Visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity.

 

https://blog.ssa.gov/correcting-the-record-about-social-security-direct-deposit-and-telephone-services/

 

[bamnutsak]

Statement from Acting Commissioner Dudek about Temporary Restraining Order

March 21, 2025 • By Social Security Administration

 

“Today, the Court issued clarifying guidance about the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) related to DOGE employees and DOGE activities at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Therefore, I am not shutting down the agency. President Trump supports keeping Social Security offices open and getting the right check to the right person at the right time. SSA employees and their work will continue under the TRO.”

 

https://blog.ssa.gov/statement-from-acting-commissioner-dudek-about-temporary-restraining-order/

 

 

[jerrymahoney]

From NY Times via archive:

 

Social Security Administration Will No Longer Allow Changes Made by Phone
The new rule would require people who want to make changes to first verify their identity online or in person.

 

March 18, 2025
The Social Security Administration said on Tuesday that people who wanted to file for benefits or change the bank where their payments were deposited could no longer do so by phone and must first verify their identity online or go into a field office.

The change, which takes effect on March 31, is expected to add stress to the agency’s already thinning work force, which is being significantly downsized as part of the broad effort to aggressively shrink the federal government. At the same time, the change would also make things more difficult for older and disabled beneficiaries who might have trouble getting into an office or struggle with online services.

 

https://archive.ph/qoUEi#selection-811.0-841.326

[bamnutsak]

Seniors won't complain if they miss a Social Security check, Lutnick says

 

Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick suggested this week that only "fraudsters" would complain about missing a monthly Social Security check, and that most people wouldn't mind if the government simply skipped a payment.

"Let's say Social Security didn't send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, who's 94, she wouldn't call and complain," Lutnick — a billionaire former Wall Street CEO — told the billionaire "All In" podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya.

 

"She just wouldn't. She'd think something got messed up, and she'll get it next month. A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining,"

 

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/21/social-security-lutnick-doge-checks

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

"A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining,"

 

Lutnick describing his boss.

[bamnutsak]

14 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick

 

in his own words...

 

 

[bamnutsak]

Social Security Increases Transparency and Accountability – Shares More Information Online

 

https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-increases-transparency-and-accountability-shares-more-information-online/

 

March 24, 2025

 

What to Know about Proving Your Identity:  SSA recently announced it is strengthening identity proofing requirements for people who do not use a personal my Social Security account to apply for cash benefits or to change direct deposit information for benefits. To help the public understand the new policy, SSA today published a new webpage, What to Know about Proving Your Identity

 

https://www.ssa.gov/news/identity-proofing.html