AARP Virginia Statement on Customer Service Changes Announced by the Social Security Administration

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AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau issued the following statement related to customer service changes announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA):

“The Social Security Administration’s abrupt decision to require in-person identity verification will create unnecessary hurdles for older Americans. Older Virginians frequently say that transportation is one of their biggest challenges, and now more of them will have to travel more than 40 miles to reach the nearest SSA office.

“Nearly one in five Virginia residents—about 1.6 million people—receives Social Security benefits, and nearly 200,000 of them receive Social Security Disability. More than 94,000 of Virginia’s Social Security recipients are children. This change burdens people who are least able to bear it.”

With about 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people over 50 and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about how AARP Virginia is working in your community, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at www.X.com/aarpva.

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.