Social Security announced, in an online message, it would be offering enhanced registration and identity proofing methods to some select customers if they go online and sign-up for a my Social Security account. Social Security does not state what the advantages of this new initiative are, but presumably it would more easily allow customers to identify their accounts to speed up the process related to any types of claims, but the overall benefit is still undetermined. Below is an explanation from Social Security regarding the plan.
Beginning February 29, 2020, SSA will be offering enhanced registration/identity-proofing methods to a limited number of specially selected potential customers. Emails will be sent to this limited group of ‘customers,’ inviting them to go online and create a my Social Security account.
We plan to release methodically this enhanced functionality. The first phase will include Social Security employees, friends, and family. The enhanced registration process through electronic access (eAccess) will introduce the verification of state issued identification documents (driver’s licenses, learner’s permits, state identification cards) and verification of digital addresses (email address and cell phone numbers). All accounts created through the link provided in the invitation email will be Extra Security accounts; therefore, financial verification may also be required online.
The Benefits
Beginning February 29, my Social Security will allow this limited group of customers to:
- Take a photo of:
- the front of the state issued Identity Document (ID – driver’s license, learner’s permit, or state identification card)
- the back of the state issued ID
- his or her face (selfie), or
- Manually type the ID information (name, date of birth, ID#, issue state) plus financial evidence (Credit card number, W-2/Self-Employment information, direct deposit amount), or
- Answer Out-of-Wallet quiz questions plus financial evidence.
Obviously one potential benefit of this program is that it could take away some of the need to speak with or meet with a Social Security employee regarding accounts, but we will have to see where the initiative goes and whether it really will have some positive benefit to the public.
