How to Transition Your Social Security Account to Login.gov
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: August 23, 2024
If 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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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Adrian S.
The sms codes needed to access my ssa with login.gov no longer come through, although it worked until last week Called the 800 number and login.gov support team, no help. What to do next ?
Also still awaiting to getback my original documents sent over a year ago to OEIO in support of my application. Whats going on ?
S.S.
Hi Adrian. 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. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video.
As for your documents being returned, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak with a supervisor during your next call or visit. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this is resolved soon.
C P.
Every time I try to login, I get as far as entering my authentication code and it loops me back to the login screen.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, C Pratt. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your account. You can call our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “How can I help you today?” please say “Help Desk” for help to access my Social Security account. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
TERRY A.
I’ve made numerous attempts to access my account through Login.gov. It recognizes my id and password but doesn’t let me in.
I keep receiving “We cannot process your request at this time…”
I follow the steps and requested information, but no success. I’ve called the support number asking for an agent with no result.
Help!
Muriel
I can’t log in to my account either. I log in to Login.gov, it sends me a code, I enter the code and it keeps recycling me back to the log in page and never lets me in to my account.
S.S.
Thank you for reading our blog, Muriel. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your account. You can call our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “How can I help you today?” please say “Help Desk” for help to access my Social Security account. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts. We hope this helps.
Sherry M.
I need have changed my phone # and need to change it on my ssa account
S.S.
Hi Sherry. Thanks for reading our blog. For assistance with the phone number associated with your Login.gov account, please visit Change the phone number associated with your account.
For all accounts created on or after September 18, 2021, you must contact Login.gov or ID.me to update your contact information. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts and the ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts.
For accounts created before September 18, 2021, you can update your contact information in the Security Settings screen of your personal my Social Security account. If you no longer have access to your cell phone number, you may request a reset code online.
S.S.
Hello Terry. We are sorry to hear this. You can submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security webpage. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form, where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
katherine b.
I have tried unsuccessfully numerous times to access my account. Ive been locked out.
I don’t use facial recognition or fingerprint and there is no other means to go forward from there
My previous user name and password don’t work.
Will I be unable to ever access my information
S.S.
Hi, Katherine. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 if you are locked out of your my Social Security username/password account, if you have a security freeze/fraud alert on your credit report, or if you want to change your Multi-Factor Authentication method. Our 800# 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.
James B.
I’ve been online with SSA for years but can no longer access. Please advise whom to reach out to correct so I may again view online.
S.S.
Hi James. 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. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this helps.
Martha C.
Upon reading all these BAD comments about the new login process, I am AFRAID to change my SSA account to the new login system. All these comments, I think, will create FEAR among those who need to transition their accounts.
Martha C.
RE: Bad Comments on the new Login.gov system: Is there a way for you to provide RESOURCES & SUPPORT to those having problems transitioning to this new system? The Help Desk is most of the time unable to help, most especially to seniors who are not tech savvy.
Geraldine S.
I wish my social security benefits to be transfered from Wells Fargo to my UK bank account. Wells fargo states that they cannot do this! I must return to the US to do so! I am 86 years old and travelling that distance is impossible for me. I have had no difficulties with other matters. They require original death certicate and translated certifed . (My spouse died in the Dominican Republic). The bank says that these items will not be returned to me and I need the originals for other financial matters.Please help me as until this is completed I am existing on my charge card (it is the only way I can obtain cash for living expenses). This is an emergency situation that I have been trying to rectify since June of this year!
Geraldine S.
My husband died January 18th 2024 and I have moved to the UK to live with my son for the rest of my life. I am 86 years old and I wish to have my Social Security payments transferred to a UK bank. My current bank account is with Wells Fargo.I have contacted them and they are requiring that I must return to the US to do this! This is impossible because of my age and capabilities. Please advise! I have original death certificate and certified translation as my spouse expired in the Dominican Republic. The Embassy in Santa Domingo did all of the paperwork and upgraded my social security benefit.Please
Eric F.
When I enter the code sent to my cellphone, it loops me back to the sign in page and I cannot go any further. This has been going on for about two weeks. I need to check my status.
T.Y.
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. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch our 3-minute video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts, and ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts. We hope this helps.
Mark L.
Cannot sign because it will not accept access code sent to me. This happens everytime I have tried to login. 5-6 times this last month.
T.Y.
Hello, Mark. Thank you for reading our blog. If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say “Help Desk” at the voice prompt. We hope this helps.