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
Comments
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Kristi B.
I have been locked out of my social security account and no longer have access to that email that it was originally set up under. How do I get a new email set up for my account so I can access it?
kathryn t.
r i cant access my account online when i put the right info to get a new password
P.H.
Hi Kathryn, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear about your experience. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to retrieve or change your username and password. If you still encounter difficulties, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Meliisa
Thanks for the useful information here.
Brandy F.
Same issue with reset code in the mail.
A.C.
Hi, Brandy. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. Your local office can also assist. We hope this helps.
Rosemarie L.
TI believe I’ve done all these steps over and over and I’ve been I haven’t been able to access my account for over a year and this is very frustrating because I’m in a hearing before a judge and I cannot access my online account please help me fix this problem once and for all thank you very frustrated and ignored
Roberta Q.
I am not receiving the security code on my cell phone. Last time I signed into my social security account was about 6 months ago and I had no problems the code came through to my phone without a problem. I was on the phone all day with ss and no one could tell me what was wrong or what to do so that I can correct the problem. I have not changedt my phone number. If this problem can not be taken care of I would like to get the code then in my e mail. Please help me to find out what to do. I was also on the phone with my cell phone company and they say that they can see no transmisions of text messages from you.
Moralis
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Laurie
So insulting! Many attempts to sign in and called the provided number! 3 hours later, an obnoxious person was able to confirm an address to send a passcode.
Wish American people were back and not the the crappy people that are “owed” a job.”
Trying to apply for ssa and finding it nearly impossible! Been trying for 6 weeks!
Enough with the employment of unqualified people!
Carolyn A.
The SSA is understaffed!
Tracie
What do you do if can’t remember what email you used and tried all the ones you can think of
P.H.
Hi Tracie, thanks for using our blog. If you are unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 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.
DJ
I’m having the same issue and I’ve called and called and called. I no longer have the email address I used when I set up my account. I need to start all over again but I keep getting the same answer on the phone, can’t reach anyone, and this is just frustrating ! Please don’t reply with the same generic reply that I have been reading. I need a new password, account name, and email address to send my information to.
Janis H.
I have lost count on how many times I have asked to send me a temporary passcode to access MY SOCIAL SECURITY social security account.
So, what else can you do to get me a temporary passcode??????
P.H.
Hi Janis, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear about your experience. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to retrieve or change your username and password. If you still encounter difficulties, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Greg S.
I have the same problem! I have requested a temp password many times and have not received it. What can we do???? It never shows up in the mail!!!
Robert B.
I am not receiving a security code to open my account.
P.H.
Hi Robert, thanks for using our blog. If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 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.
Terri l.
Can’t sign in to ssi acct
Shalini C.
Thank you for sharing points on social security. Very useful information on safety
Carole A.
I applied on line for Medicare a because I am still working part time. I created user name password etc. Then I went to my ss chart and tried to create an acct. Do I use different user name and password or same one s I used to apply for Medicare
P.H.
Hi Carole, thanks for using our blog. If you have previously set up a my Social Security account, you would use the same username and password. If you are still unable to access your account, you can 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. We hope this information helps.