A TOP Social Security official has shared the factors he believes are behind the delay in Americans receiving payments.
The agency has been grappling with a backlog for months – with an estimated one million claimants not receiving increases to their checks that were proposed.
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With claimants left in the dark over benefits, the Social Security Administration has undergone a series of changes.
The number of staffers in field offices across the US has dipped – with bosses aiming to cut around 7,000 of its workforce.
And, government officials are looking to streamline the agency and crack down on fraud.
Lee Dudek, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, revealed who he thinks is to blame for any backlogs.
He pointed the finger at Joe Biden, as reported by USA Today.
Dudek also claimed that diversity initiatives also contributed to the delay.
“The result was long wait times for customer service, unconscionable delays for benefit decisions, and insufficient stewardship of Americans’ hard-earned benefits,” he told the outlet.
Frank Bisignano, the former CEO of Fiserv, is to become the permanent SSA Commissioner.
His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on a 53 to 47 vote.
But, data shows that callers are having to wait longer when trying to contact the agency.
Last year, users had to wait around 61 minutes before being put through to a worker, according to the SSA.
But, that number has jumped to an average of 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Millions of Americans will receive a Social Security check on May 14.
Payments are issued to residents based on their date of birth.
How to prove your identity to the SSA
The main way to prove your identity to the SSA is via the my Social Security account portal.
Americans unable to do so online can still begin their claims over the phone. However, some claims will not be processed until the individual also verifies their identity in person at a local office.
Only certain documents qualify as proof of identity, according to the SSA.
“An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph,” the SSA states on its website.
Examples of valid proof of identity include:
- US driver’s license
- State-issued non-driver identification card
- US passport
Individuals who do not possess one of these forms of ID or who cannot get a replacement within 10 days can use other documents, including:
- Employee identification card
- School identification card
- Health insurance card (not a Medicare card)
- US military identification card
The first installment of the month is sent to claimants who have a birth date between the 1st and 10th.
Subsequent payments will be sent on May 21 and May 28.
On average, Social Security claimants pocket $1,976 a month.
Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency targeted the SSA.
But, some Republicans have warned Bisignano not to implement any further cuts.
A group of lawmakers fear that cuts could impact service – even though they support making the agency more efficient.
In recent weeks, the SSA has been impacted by website outages.
But, the agency has rolled out stricter measures when it comes to proving identity.
Americans wanting to request benefit changes but cannot do so online must go to a field office to prove their identity.
“For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity,” Dudek said.
“Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
And, Donald Trump signed an executive order to phase out paper checks.
He warned that Treasury checks are 16 times more likely to be reported lost or stolen than an payment delivered electronically.
Trump vowed the government needs to catch up with the so-called technology revolution.
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