Social Security in Crisis? Major April Reforms You Can’t Ignore

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Retroactive Payments: More than 1.1 million Americans have received retroactive payments averaging $6,710, totaling over $7.5 billion.

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In-Person Identity Verification: Starting April 14, certain applicants must verify their identity in person, replacing previous online methods, to enhance security.

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Telephone Claims with Anti-Fraud Measures: The SSA now allows claims via telephone, supported by new anti-fraud capabilities to protect beneficiaries.

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SSA Workforce Reductions: Plans are underway to cut approximately 7,000 SSA jobs and potentially close 47 offices, raising concerns about service accessibility.

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Data Privacy Concerns: Efforts to consolidate federal data have sparked fears over privacy violations and cybersecurity risks.

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IT Infrastructure Overhaul: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, aims to modernize SSA's IT systems, though experts warn of potential disruptions.

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Public Criticism: Former President Joe Biden has criticized the current administration's handling of Social Security, highlighting issues like workforce cuts and data misuse.

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