General, Online Services

How to Transition Your Social Security Account to Login.gov

July 30, 2024 • By

Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Last Updated: August 23, 2024

Social Security Administration LogoIf you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to transition to a new or existing Login.gov account or use an ID.me account to have continuous access to our online services. We recently announced this news in a press release.

For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch this video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. 

Beginning June 1, 2024, people who sign in to their personal my Social Security account with their username are given the option to transition to Login.gov. This blog provides additional information and guidance to help you with problems you may encounter. We’re also going to provide answers to some of the questions we’ve heard.

Who does this affect?

If you created your free and secure my Social Security account on or after September 18, 2021, no action is necessary because you already have the right setup. If you are among the 46 million people who created an account before September 18, 2021 and use your username and password to access Social Security online services today, you will need to create or use an existing account with one of our two Credential Service Providers (CSP) – Login.gov or ID.me.

Is there a deadline? 

While you can still use a username and password to sign in to your personal my Social Security account right now, this option is going away later this year. At that time, you will be required to have a Login.gov or ID.me account if you want to continue to access your personal my Social Security and our many other convenient online services.

A personal my Social Security account provides tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, and manage the benefits you already receive. To learn more, visit What is an Account?

Why are you making this change?

This change will simplify your sign-in experience and better align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to our online services.

What do I need to do?

To avoid any disruptions in accessing our online services we encourage you to transition your account now by signing in to your account with your username and password. Our online instructions will guide you through the process of creating or signing in to an existing Login.gov account.

Information about Login.gov and ID.me

Login.gov is your one government account for simple, secure, and private access to participating government agencies. You can use your Login.gov account to access your Social Security benefit information, services, and other information. And you can use that same Login.gov account to manage other government benefits and services. For support, visit the Login.gov Help Center.

ID.me is a single sign-on provider that also meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements. You can use one ID.me account to access government and private services. For support – Go to the ID.me Help Center.

For more information, visit our Create an Account page.

Please share this information with friends and family, clients and colleagues, and others who may need it.

 

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About the Author

Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Comments

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  1. Michael B.

    I am in trouble with this!!!!! I can’t access my account on any site?? Was doing fine until it was announced change was coming now can’t get in no matter?? Already been to the S.S. office and they had as much trouble as i did, i a have a feeling i will never be able to get back in?? Here is what it does no matter what site i go threw all the prompts and verifications and it takes me back to the home page every single time!! I have spent about 6 to 8 hours trying to log in no luck yet HELP????

    Reply
    • Mark

      same here in St Louis. Since it matched to Login.gov, no access, just redirected again and again

      Reply
    • DebS

      Same thing, very confusing and it texting me several “verification” codes, none of which were recognized! Progress??? I don’t think so!

      Reply
      • Tracy

        Same thing here. I am a rep. payee and can’t get signed on no matter what I do. So fed up trying!

        Reply
        • WF

          I do wonder if anybody is monitoring these comments, because this “loop” that we are all encountering after having tried to link to login.gov is reported multiple times here as well as all over the internet. But I don’t see any FAQs or resolution. Not sure why I’m even commenting. Would be really awesome if there was a response / resolution. Barring that, I’ll try again in 6 months.

          Reply
          • S.S.

            Hello WF. Thank you for reading our blog. If you need help with transitioning your account, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.

          • MIKE J.

            The only response from SSA is AI ? using the term lightly. Every complaint is about the same thing ! Same problem. No solution.

    • Jim

      Same

      Reply
  2. Joann W.

    How do i report elder abuse if it was a family member?
    I incurred financial costs that I am unable to pay, they took personal belongings besides using my cc, but the mental abuse has taken its toll. Mentally and financially I’m dealing with what they did, they made accusations against me that aren’t true to cover up their behavior. Help doesn’t exist for the elderly .

    Reply
    • Rena W.

      I would make a police report first of all and they should be able to direct you what to do next. Also call APS-adult protective Services, they will investigate that person or persons involved and it is anonymous who made the report. If you do not feel comfortable calling have a good friend that knows what is going on. I know if I was your friend I would call and report. Please don’t let this go. No one should have to go through this and it is so wrong. I am sorry this is happening to you. Trust me I know..APS is very helpful if you get a good one and they will also help and guide you what to do next but they will do most the work for you. Make a list before calling and have names, dates, phone numbers, address etc. and what was done to you and what taken from you, financially, property etc. Try to get all the proof you can to prove that they did this, bank statements, credit card statements, receipts anything that can help you. Of coarse they will deny anything that you confronted them with. I hope you get a bulldog with APS..some are better then others..if you feel the person you are dealing with doesn’t seem to care..ask for a different worker or ask for a supervisor. In the past I have had a great experience and she got my mother out the next day from a horrible place after her hospital stay because they would not let me take her out. Hope this helps you a little. And again I so sorry you are going through this No one should be treated like this at any age. I pray it all works out for you.

      Reply
  3. Norman R.

    I am attempting to create a Login.gov account. It will not accept my international phone number. What other alternatives are there if we do not have a US phone number? There are no instructions/explanations about inserting another phone number. Include info on inserting an international phone number.

    Reply
    • Rena W.

      Not sure if it will work or not you can get a free US phone number using text now or text free. It is free and you just need to use it every month. It uses wifi. Hope this will work for you. Good luck.

      Reply
      • Ronald L.

        Be patient 🙏 and be safe 💖 still in a 🫧 a sensitive place if it isn’t in compliance or added to any specific time or purpose continuing is what we will do God bless you all 💞🙏 we will see each other soon my OUR FATHER keep us all strengthened and humbled I pray 🙏 for you all Amen

        Reply
  4. Carol j.

    Very confusing

    Reply
  5. Jami

    Unnecessarily difficult and wordy. Stops me with backup Code.

    What, where, how. Waiting for one? Once had one?
    Was derivative of something once held?
    Am I to Create a backup code?
    It’s not allowing me to do that.

    If statistics are correct, 54% of Americans read below 6th Grade level. Add unnecessary wordiness to that, it’s misery.
    I’m trying to assist ESL people with this.
    Make it call in to obtain a passkey number sequence, then I make my own backup code….dumb term…backup code.

    Reply
  6. Kathryn K.

    I have signed up for Login.gov, they verified my identity, yet am still unable to login to ssa website. the message says ‘you are unable to access at this time, please try later or get in touch with us’ Has said that for 2 weeks, still unable to do the research so that I can apply in August. Each time I speak to someone at the help desk, I’m told a different avenue to try and get in. Very frustrating, need some help please. Am told by employees this has happened a lot. How about sending a press release about the problem and how to solve it?

    Reply
  7. Denny

    I have forgotten both my user name and password.
    What do I do now, I can’t sign in to change anything or access my SSA?

    Reply
    • Rena W.

      I had to do the same thing. I put in incorrect user name and password. And it took me to a page to fill out. You have to enter your information and your security questions you did when you signed up for ss site. Then the will mail you a code and how to relog in to the social security site. It take I think 10 plus days to get form. Until then you will not be able to log in to the ss site. Hope this helps.

      Reply
      • Sandy E.

        I signed up on 7/29/2024 and have yet to receive a code by mail. I tried today online and unfortunately used a different email than was originally used and now I have two accounts out there. Still no code from the original sign up.

        Reply
        • S.S.

          Hi Sandy.  Thank you for reading our blog. If you did not receive an authentication code, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. We hope this helps.

          Reply
          • Trishcelia B.

            MY ENTIRE IDENTITY WAS STOLEN FROM F.A.Family members I’m suspended from Id.me and now everything wtf

    • S.D.

      Thanks for your question, Denny. If you cannot remember or need to reset your Social Security password for your account, visit the sign-in page and select the “Sign in with Social Security Username”. From there, select “Forgot Password?” and complete the steps. We hope this helps.

      Reply
  8. Balakrishna M.

    Thanks CSP
    Thanks my SSA

    Reply
  9. michael B.

    I have tried to finish the transition but u people don’t have everything completed to do so. 1st of all u don’t take voip numbers won’t accept my Philippine number where I live not in the states. 2nd the form I fill out to identify me by thru your system or website doesn’t take info outside the United States its only for USA and its territories. So I can’t get an activation code because of a lack of a phone number and have no other option to get a code like email like in the old account please fix the problems. Otherwise there will many locked out of there accounts in other countries without the form being changed

    Reply
  10. James G.

    Absurd! Shame on you for pulling a stunt like this on the most vulnerable of Americans.

    Reply

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