Pennsylvania's REAL ID program recertified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced Wednesday, June 11, that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration has recertified the commonwealth's REAL ID program as fully compliant with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.
The certification means PennDOT can continue to issue REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and photo identification cards. These IDs are required to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities and military bases. Federal law requires states to be recertified every three years to maintain compliance.
REAL ID has been an optional service in Pennsylvania since its rollout, and PennDOT continues to offer it to residents who want federally recognized identification. The recertification confirms that PennDOT's systems and practices meet the rigorous security standards required under federal law.
To get a REAL ID, residents must provide documents verifying their identity, Social Security number, Pennsylvania residency, and any legal name changes. A full list of accepted documents and application steps is available at www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID.
There is a one-time $30 fee to obtain a REAL ID, in addition to the standard renewal cost. Once issued, future renewals of the ID do not include additional REAL ID-related fees.
PennDOT offers two options for applying: residents can visit one of 15 REAL ID Centers for same-day issuance or apply at a driver license center to receive their ID by mail within 15 days.
Residents who received their first Pennsylvania license or ID after Sept. 1, 2003, may already have the necessary documentation on file and can apply online for pre-verification.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
5 hours ago
- CNET
Social Security: A Guide to Applying for Retirement Benefits
Looking to retire soon? Learn how to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, and what you can expect when you you plan on retiring in the near future, you're probably thinking about applying for Social Security benefits. There are several factors to consider before taking the plunge, but knowing the process of applying can help you prepare for when you're ready. You can begin collecting Social Security benefits as early as the age of 62, but you'll get more money the longer you wait, and you'll receive the maximum benefit at the age of 70. Whether you're just beginning to plan for retirement or you're ready to apply today, we'll walk you through the process and fill you in on what you need to have ready before you begin. For more, don't miss our Social Security and SSDI cheat sheet and our look at why more people are applying for benefits early. Gather your documentation You'll be asked for a lot of documentation when you apply for Social Security benefits, so it's a good idea to get everything you need in order before going through the process. What you need to apply for Social Security benefits Personal information Your Social Security number Place of birth (city, state, country) Work in the last 5 years Names of employers Dates of employment Average hours worked Pay rates received Spousal information Social Security number of current or former spouse Birth date of current or former spouse The date you were married or divorced Place of marriage (city, state, country) Bank account details Routing and account number of your bank account Eligible dependents Your children could be eligible for benefits as a dependent under your account if they're 17 or younger, 18 or 19 and still in school (K-12), or became disabled before 22. Qualifying children can receive up to half of their parent's full retirement benefit. How to apply for Social Security benefits When you're set to apply for Social Security benefits, go to You'll be prompted to create a My Social Security account if you haven't created one already. It's easy. Once you're logged in and at the Apply for Social Security benefits page, you'll be asked who you're applying for (an adult or a child) and what type of benefit you're applying for. Select all that apply and click the Learn how to apply button. The next page will give you a quick summary of your selections. Under the Submit an application section, click the Apply online button to start your application. If you'd rather not apply online, you can call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to set up an appointment to apply for benefits. The agent will schedule the appointment and let you know whether you can do it over the phone or if you'll need to go to a local branch to apply. However, due to policy changes and layoffs, going this route may prove to be more difficult. The job cuts have resulted in longer than normal wait times to reach the SSA by phone, local branches are crowded and the official website has had issues staying online. Still, the latter will likely remain the easiest of your options, so signing up for a My Social Security account should be at the top of your list of things to do even if you choose to apply another way. While the SSA says that all claims can be completed over the phone, a new fraud-checking system has been put in place that may require some applicants to perform extra steps. If your account is flagged for potential fraud or irregularities, you may need to complete the identity proofing check in person at a local branch. What happens after you apply for benefits? After your application has been received, you'll get a letter with a decision about your application. If you apply to receive benefits as soon as possible, you'll typically get your decision notice within 30 days. If you apply in advance, you'll receive your letter closer to the time you chose to begin receiving benefits. During the application process, you'll need to select what month you'd like your benefits to begin. If approved, your first payment will typically be sent out for the following month. You can always check the status of your application by logging into your My Social Security account For more, don't miss the four ways you could potentially lose your Social Security benefits.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Two Social Security checks are coming next month for some. Here's what to know
Some Social Security beneficiaries will notice a change in their payment schedule in August due to a quirk in the calendar. The Social Security Administration (SSA) shifts the payment schedule whenever the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older or have a disability. Children with disabilities or who are blind may also qualify. Since Sept. 1 is Labor Day, SSI recipients can expect to receive two checks in August: one on Aug. 1 and the other on Sept. 1, according to the administration's calendar. Two SSI payments will also be issued on October 1 and on October 31. The same applies to December. This does not mean extra money is being offered to beneficiaries. The latest from MassLive Police determine barricaded suspect threat not connected to Worcester New mental health clinic opens in Springfield, seeing patients and hiring Arrest warrant issued for Brockton double fatal shooting suspect on the run 'Defending migrants 'cuz the Pope said so': How faith leaders are risking everything at the U.S.-Mexico border Walmart yanks popular brand from Target and Amazon with new exclusive deal Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Social Security Issues Update on Changes Impacting Recipients
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Social Security Administration announced a major update to its technological advancements on Wednesday as part of its larger mission, led by new Commissioner Frank Bisignano, to modernize the agency. "Our vision is centered on providing outstanding service that works for everyone we serve—whether they call, walk into a field office, or choose to manage their benefits online," said Bisignano in a statement. "We are transforming the customer experience, investing in technology to build frontline capacity, and using real-time data to monitor performance across the board. We are delivering higher levels of customer service—and this will continue." Newsweek reached out to the SSA via email for further comment. Why It Matters Approximately 69 million people receive Social Security payments each month. Since President Donald Trump took office again, the SSA has been undergoing a period of restructuring, with thousands of employees no longer working for the agency due to the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) cost-saving initiatives. What To Know In its announcement, the SSA said it had implemented new telephone technology on the national 800 number and in its field offices. The SSA stated that this resulted "in improved service to the American people," according to its release. Specifically, the SSA is handling more calls with a faster response time. Last week, the agency handled nearly 1.3 million calls on the national 800 number, which was 70 percent more than the same week last fiscal year. The average speed of answer also dropped to 6 minutes from an average of 30 minutes last year. Field office wait times are also down. While the average wait time was 30 minutes last year, now Americans are waiting just 23 minutes. A Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Washington, D.C. A Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Washington, D.C. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images The agency also eliminated its longstanding scheduled downtime of 29 hours a week for the my Social Security portal. In the first week alone, the SSA said 125,000 more customers were able to access their online accounts. Despite these improvements, some experts have sounded the alarm on the tech upgrades while the SSA faces a funding crisis projected to hit as early as the early 2030s. "This modernization is happening while Social Security faces its worst funding crisis in decades. The trustees in 2024 projected the program's combined retirement and disability trust funds may last until 2035," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek. "Think about that. The agency is investing millions in new technology while knowing it might only be able to pay 83 cents on the dollar in 10 years. It's like renovating the kitchen while the house is on fire." In recent months, the SSA also said it would be sending 3.1 million payments to recipients eligible under the Social Security Fairness Act ahead of schedule. This law enabled public service workers, such as teachers and firefighters, to receive money they were owed but had previously been denied due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The disability backlog has also decreased to 940,000 pending cases, down from more than 1.2 million cases last year, the SSA said. What People Are Saying SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano said in a statement: "Our strategy is clear: serve customer needs quickly and completely, no matter how they contact us. We will continue to evaluate our tools, technology, and processes to empower our workforce to provide best-in-class customer service to the American people." Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek: "What beneficiaries need to understand is this: Every 'modernization' is really a cost-cutting measure disguised as improvement. Those electronic signatures and digital uploads? They're not about your convenience; they're about reducing the army of federal workers processing your paperwork. It just means more automated screening, more delays, and fewer real people to talk to when things go wrong." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "For beneficiaries, it's a positive sign, as reports like this indicate it should be much quicker to get support over the phone or online. However, for the employees of the administration, this could further strain their workforce which is having to take on more tasks in an already heavy schedule. The hope is there can be a balance found in the long-term aspect where both sides can benefit from the new set-up." Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: "All service types—internet, phone, and in-person have had tech and process updates to expand service hours and speed up response times. These updates are woefully overdue and welcomed by all seniors and their caretakers." What Happens Next The SSA also alerted recipients to another change heading their way in the fall. Starting September 30, the SSA will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments.
