SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — There are some changes coming to the Social Security Administration.

The agency recently announced that beginning March 31st, it will require you to verify your identity in person if you are unable to do so online, eliminating the chance to do it over the phone.

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Once the policy goes in place, anyone who cannot verify their identity on the agency’s “my Social Security” virtual service will have to travel to a Social Security field office. AARP believes it will make it harder for people who live in rural areas to apply for services, but Social Security thinks it’s a necessary change.

“It just presents one more additional barrier for those services that they’ve worked their entire life for,” South Dakota AARP state director Erik Gaikowski said.

Gaikowski is concerned with how far some people would have to travel if they can’t apply online.

“You’ve got folks that live three, four hours away from a Social Security Administration office, and that presents a pretty significant barrier for them to apply for service. You obviously have to either take a day off of work, you have to find a ride or whatever the case may be. You have somebody living in Lemmon; they have to drive three hours to Rapid City or somewhere to get service,” Gaikowski said.

Trump and his administration say they’re watching out for seniors because they claim that fraud is widespread within Social Security, so requiring in-person verification will help root that out.

The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner Lee Dudek also said in a press release quote, “Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance. For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity.”

“We don’t see a lot of fraud in Social Security right now. The reality is there’s fraudsters that are taking advantage of people online, but not necessarily within the system itself,” Gaikowski said.

Gaikowski also believes fraud could increase once the change is officially put in place.

“The reality is scammers like to take advantage of people when there’s a change in procedures, and this is a significant change in procedure,” Gaikowski said.

There are also plans to shut down Social Security field offices throughout the country, which Gaikowski says could also delay services.

To learn more about the identity verification policy, click the links below.

Social Security Administration Press Release

Information from AARP