- Details
- By Levi Rickert
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Wednesday it is implementing stricter identity verification measures, requiring millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices instead of verifying their identity over the phone.
This rule change will reduce potential for fraudulent claims according to the SSA.
Beginning March 31, individuals will no longer be able to confirm their identity with the SSA via phone. Those unable to verify their identity through the agency’s “my Social Security” online service must visit a field office in person to complete the process, SSA officials announced Tuesday.
This policy will apply to new Social Security applicants as well as current recipients seeking to update their direct deposit information.
Access to Social Security benefits is a critical issue for Native American communities, as many individuals rely on programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and retirement benefits.
The rule change may prove too problematic for many Americans, including Native Americans. Despite their importance, many Social Security offices have faced closures or staffing reductions, disproportionately affecting Native American communities.
Travel to the nearest office can be costly and time-consuming, particularly for those on reservations located far from urban centers. Without accessible in-person services, many individuals may forgo applying for benefits altogether, exacerbating economic and healthcare disparities.
Social Security benefits provide a vital source of income for many Native Americans, particularly elders and individuals with disabilities. According to the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA), many Native seniors live below the poverty line and rely on Social Security as their primary source of income.
The intersection between Social Security and healthcare is particularly significant for Native communities. Many Native Americans receive healthcare through the Indian Health Service (IHS), but additional resources such as Medicare and Medicaid are critical for covering specialized treatments and prescriptions.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (June 29, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Oak Ridge Fire on Navajo Nation Tops 200 Acres, Triggers Emergency Evacuations
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
