Are You Having Difficulties Accessing Your Personal my Social Security Account?
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
This is part two of our three-part blog series, “my Social Security 101.” Did you miss the first blog? Please be sure to check it out.
We understand how frustrating it can be when you can’t remember your username or password, or perhaps the answers to your security questions. Fortunately, we have some tips for you to access our online services.
How to Recover Your Username
If you need to recover your username, go to the Sign In page and select “Forgot Username?” under the Username field. You will enter your email address, Social Security number, and date of birth. Then, select “Next” and you will see your username automatically inserted in the Username field for you.
The Second Factor: What You Need to Know
When you registered for a personal my Social Security account, you identified either your email address or cell phone number as your second factor for authentication. Each time you sign in to your account, we send you a one-time security code to either the email address or cell phone number you provided when you registered for your account. You will need access to that second factor as you go through the steps to reset your account password.
What to Do if You Forgot Your Password
If you forgot your password to your personal my Social Security account, you can request a temporary password to gain access. You can go to the Sign In page and select “Forgot Password?” You will then enter your username, Social Security number, and date of birth.
From there, select “Next” and you will be prompted to enter answers to your Password Reset Questions. If you remember your Password Reset Questions, provide the answers in each text box. Confirm your cell phone or email address where you should receive a one-time security code. Please enter the security code you receive, and select the “Submit Security Code,” and you’ll have the chance to update your password. Follow the prompts. You will automatically see the Terms of Service and after accepting the terms, you will be signed in to your account.
What to Do if You Forgot Your Password Reset Answers
If you don’t remember the answers to your Password Reset Questions, select the “I can’t remember my answers” and follow the prompts.
Instructions if Your Second Factor is Your Email
If you registered your email as a second factor, follow these steps:
- Scroll down and check the “I agree to the Terms of Service” box.
- Select “Next.”
- You’ll come to the “Provide Information” page where you’ll enter your mailing address and primary phone number. Please note that we only need your phone number to verify your identity.
- Select “Mail Temporary Password.”
- Then, Select “Done” on the next page.
After completing these steps, you’ll receive a letter by mail in 5 to 10 business days. Your letter will contain a temporary password and step-by-step instructions for creating a new password.
When you receive the letter with your temporary password, go to the Sign In page and enter your username and your temporary password. Then, you can:
- Select “Sign In.”
- Verify your email address on the following page.
- Select “Next.”
- You’ll receive a security code via email—and you’ll enter the security code on the following page.
- Select “Submit Security Code.”
- You’ll then create your new password on the next page. Select “Next.”
- Then, select “Next” again.
- Scroll down and check the “I agree to the Terms of Service” box.
- Select “Next.” This will take you to your personal my Social Security account.
Instructions if Your Second Factor is Your Cell Phone
If you registered your cell phone as your second factor, follow these steps:
- Select “Email Temporary Password.”
- Check your email for your temporary password.
- Return to the Sign In page.
- Enter your username and the temporary password.
- Verify your cell phone number and check “Next.”
- Enter the security code you receive on your cell phone.
- Then, select “Submit Security Code.”
- You’ll then create your new password on the next page. Select “Next.”
- Then, select “Next” again.
- Scroll down and check the “I agree to the Terms of Service” box.
- Select “Next.” This will take you to your my Social Security account.
In part three of this blog series, we will cover how to change your second factor authentication for your personal my Social Security account.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Rosa
Diseñar aplicacion para poder hacerlo desde el lygar de residencia fuera de USA .
Chumpote L.
My name is MR. Chumpote Lelayuwa and social security number is
***-**-****. Need help somehow I do not get my 3 rd payment from president BIDEN . I would like to know WHY … can you help?
V.V.
Hi Chumpote, thank you for using our blog. The IRS, not Social Security, sends all economic impact payments. Unfortunately, our telephone representatives and social media team cannot answer your specific situation about payments. You can find the latest information available from the IRS website. If you don’t see the answer to your question, you can call the IRS’ payment hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Kim
Went to s.s. office and they told me we. Cant set account for you will set code in mail
Christine B.
Correct all password resets will be giving a temporary password via mail 5-10 days and security codes you will receive via email or cellphone
V.V.
For your security, Kim, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Beverly
Over the last 3 yearsI have requested my temporary password no less than 8 times because I could not remember one of my security answers. I should have been mailed to me within 8-10 days. I’ve NEVER received any mail from SSA except the last statement that was automatically mailed to me many years ago.
Donnielle J.
My account is not updated information shown is wrong and without detailed information about my case .
V.V.
For your security, Donnielle, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
V.V.
Hi Beverly, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with your my Social Security account. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Virginia R.
YES, I DID CREATE an online account with Social Security on 09/03/2012. But as of Monday, April 16, 2018 at 11:47 AM at my Request I had my MySocialSecurity (MySSA) online account DEACTIVATED, after calling the Social Security Adninistration on the phone, and the BEST part was being told, “NO I will NOT need an online account to receive any possible future SSA benefits” The Best decision I ever made ending YEARS of online frustration after NOT being able to log into my account and multiple password changes over the years!
Keep in mind you can Call the Social Security Help Desk toll-free at: 1 (800) 772-1213
and they can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday.
GreggT
I’ve been ‘blocked’ from on-line access for 16 months and have talked to the local office many, many times. They can not help because it requires ‘in-person’ and they continue to be closed. Incredible.
I’m hoping maybe by 2022 our government will see fit to open these offices FOR US.
Mike B.
I first set up My social security.gov account in 2014. The SSA online presence was just coming into it’s own. A great big congratulations to all concerned over the past challenging year! BRAVO for a job well done. Thanks to you all for rising to the occasion.
Tariq B.
I cant set up my account. Tell me to call Social Security
Mario d.
How can I sign up for my “My social Security” account ,if I live in Colombia S.A.The page don´t accept my zip code.
Patricia H.
Yes, Americans overseas CANNOT set up an online account. Please recognise us as USA Citizens… THanks
Ray A.
I live in New Zealand and can’t set a my social security account. Can the US government please recognise its citizens living abroad.
D.V.
Hello Mario. Thank you for using our blog. Unfortunately, you will need a U.S. address to register for a my Social Security online account. The my Social Security authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for issuing an account. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address. We recommend that individuals living outside the United Sates contact the local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security. We hope this information helps!
Chester
I can’t access my account tells me to call social security??
D.V.
Hello Chester. Thank you for using our blog. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing your my Social Security online account. We have established a dedicated my Social Security Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You can also contact your local Social Security office directly. Look for the general inquiry telephone number using our Social Security Office Locator link. We hope this helps!
Mark
Can anyone explain how to “change” username.
Thank you