my Social Security: What to Know about Signing Up or Signing In
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
We want to help you get the services you need as quickly and safely as possible. Your personal my Social Security account is your gateway to doing business with us online.
Whether you receive benefits now or in the future, you will want to create your personal my Social Security account or use the one you may already have. More than 64 million people already have an account!
Did you know you can use your personal my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security card (in most states), check the status of an application, verify your earnings, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive? Watch our brief video about the benefits of having an account.
We are committed to protecting your information and benefits and take this responsibility seriously. That’s why we ask for personal information to verify your identity in order to create a personal my Social Security account. We work with external partners to securely verify your identity. We do this to protect your data while making our online services easy for you to use.
Ready to sign up? You can now create your new my Social Security account through either of these two credential partners: Login.gov or ID.me.
- Login.gov is the public’s one account for simple, secure, and private access to participating U.S. government agencies.
- ID.me is a single sign-on provider that meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements.
A credential includes your username, password, and two-step verification factors. A trusted credential partner helps us securely verify your identity online.
Here is a brief list of some things you need to know when creating or accessing your personal my Social Security account.
I have never accessed my Social Security, and I do not have a Login.gov or ID.me credential:
Visit the my Social Security webpage to get started. You will have the option to create an account with your preferred credential partner, Login.gov or ID.me. Keep in mind:
- You must be 18 years of age or older and have a Social Security number.
- You will be redirected to the partner’s website when you select “Sign in with Login.gov” or “Sign in with ID.me.”
- You must provide a valid email address and some additional information.
- Once you create the credential, you’ll return to the my Social Security webpage for next steps.
I have never accessed my Social Security, but I already have a Login.gov or ID.me credential:
You can sign in with your credential on the my Social Security webpage and follow the prompts.
I have accessed my Social Security with a Social Security username and password that I created before September 18, 2021:
You should still sign in using your Social Security username and password. This is the first option on the Sign In screen.
I have accessed my Social Security using my existing Login.gov or ID.me credential:
You can sign in to my Social Security using that Login.gov or ID.me credential.
Please encourage your friends and family to create their personal my Social Security account today!
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account, online services
See CommentsAbout the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Christine S.
Do you have Face Recognition activated so that I can use it on your
site from my smart phone?
Betty T.
I ve been trying to log in into mysocialsecurity account from overseas. I forgot my password and the system keeps asking me for my cell phone number in order to verify my identity. However, I am not using the cell phone service in the country I am visiting and, or area, I can not can not recieve messages. Then, I was asked for my US RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS in order to mail me the instructions in order to reset it, but I am not home!!. What are my options… I would like to know. I need to access my account since I need to print records of my earnings. Please Help. Thank you!!
A.C.
Hi, Betty. Since you are outside of the U.S., please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.
Brenda W.
Hi.
Totally unable to get verifed and create my Social Security account online. It says verification method, by credit check, but not credit check at the begining. Tried login.gov by uploading my DL, still can’t get verifed. Can you make the verification proccess, bit user friendly once people intent to create and get verifed by answering credit check questions, please.
Some people do have disability and prevented accebility, so making it simple citizens could benefit of having and using their accounts.
Thank you.
Everett R.
For some reason ssa sends a check for $1909.44 and there was a balance based on the calculations that arranged possible for $1909.44 to be for a discont. That was from Nov2020-July2021 . These funds didn’t make it to a bank account so where did they go being $6653 was difference of just received for June and July 2021. Now compromised is a my social security email with a changed password. This has been on going, possibly how 2014 claim approval which had a active account that is probably how it may overshadow with stolen phone still not surfaced.Be advised I never received anymore than the $1909.44 by mail.
A.C.
Hi, Everett. For your security, 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, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Everett R.
I ve written my password down and it has been changed 1-22-2022 I noticed at around 2pm I couldn’t login. Seems as if it won’t as I know I checked it. Today wrong password . I believe I may be a victim again of identity theft with Chase Bank for it is a username that will not clear and they yet to correct the online app checkout. For my known records don’t match up.
A.C.
Hi, Everett. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please 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.” Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. You can find more information on their website: http://www.idtheft.gov or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). To learn more about the steps individuals can take to prevent or resolve issues of identity theft, read our publication, Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number. We hope this helps.
Pawan K.
Best wishes and Beat Regards
Val
Your MT. Prospect office in IL. Is not answering, how can I make an appt??!! Please give me an email address or another number where someone will answer!!
A.C.
Hi, Val. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. Social Security offices are currently open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations. We are unable to accept walk-in visitors. If you feel you have a critical situation, please visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates page for more information. We hope this helps.
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Sherri L.
I am sending the letter certified mail to the offices because I am desperate at this point but I am posting it here as well. It reads:
To whom it may concern,
Please review my formal written request for appeal and this explanation letter attached. I am sending this to you via certified mail because I have been trying to get my benefits reinstated since the middle of October 2021. But due to the pandemic, I have been unable to get a phone or face-to-face appointment or anyone to call me back for going on 5 months. I have sent my ‘form 1588’ now twice to two different locations and despite validation that it was received on 10/29/21, there has been no forward momentum on my case.
Introduction:
On the second week of October, I received a ‘letter of decision’ from the Social Security Administration stating that my benefits had been revoked/suspended due to noncompliance. The letter stated that I didn’t complete and return the “Beneficiary recontact form 1588.” It went on to say that If I wanted to appeal the decision, I needed to send a formal appeal and the “Beneficiary recontact form 1588” immediately. I sent both the following day and didn’t think anything more of it.
For the record, as suggested, I did not initially receive the form 1588. And this is not the first time since 2019 that I have not received this form. (When my first recontact was issued.) Prior to Covid in 2019 when I received the decision letter but didn’t receive the form, I simply called the local office. I spoke to a representative and they completed the information in my file verbally, over the phone and my benefits were immediately reinstated. It’s two simple questions…
Then, again in 2020, the day after I got my decision letter, I was able to print the form, and send it in. My benefits were immediately reinstated without delay. I never worried about a lag or gap in coverage, until now. Sadly, I assumed despite not receiving the form 1588 again this process would be relatively seamless, but this time it has been an unmitigated nightmare.
The First Month:
The last direct deposit for my SSI benefit was completed on 9/28/2021. I received the letter of decision the first week of October. Because I knew this was time sensitive, I immediately tried to call the number provided. I was put on hold for over an hour in the queue. When I was finally able to speak to a representative, I tried to make an appointment with our local offices. I was told at that time, due to Covid that there were no openings, but to send the form to the local offices and this would reinstate my benefits.
I found the form online last year, so I pulled up that form on my computer, and completed the applicable information indicating
1- I am not married
2- I do have one child
3- I also attached the decision letter for reference.
As instructed, I signed and dated it (approx. the second week in October) and sent it to the local Social Security Office located at:
Social Security Office Information
Address: 3010 Williams Dr Suite 150
Georgetown, TX 78628
Because I sent the form right away, I fully expected the next direct deposit on 10/29/21. However, I only received the “on behalf of” monthly benefit. As you can imagine I was shocked, so I called the local office, and waited in the queue again for over an hour to speak to a representative.
To be honest, when I was finally able to speak to someone, she wasn’t very nice or helpful. Extremely dismissive and unwilling or unable to answer my questions she suggested that I go on the website to get updates on my case. I explained that I did register and try and get updates regarding my case, but the only case open under my Social Security number is the “Representative for” active for my daughter. I said, “For all intent and purpose, it appears that my case has been closed.” She scoffed and seemed annoyed with me.
She then stated that “the system reported my ‘letter form 1588’ and my appeal correspondence was received by the local office on 10/29/21 but there were no further updates.” I explained that this was information I already had. She again seemed rather annoyed with me. I asked if there was anything else that I needed to do or if I could make an appointment to speak with someone face-to-face. She stated that due to covid they are not taking appointments, and my only option was to wait for the form(s) to be processed. I tried to desperately explain my sense of urgency, so, she indicated that she would mark my file “Urgent” and ‘have someone call me.’
I asked several times if there was anything that I could do to expedite the process because I was going to have to withdraw funds from my IRA at 40% fee/penalty to pay my bills that month. She stated quite rudely “For the third time, no- there is nothing you can do, you will just need to wait” and abruptly hung up on me. I was upset and shaken but I assumed she was stressed so I didn’t take it personally. I just set a reminder to call the following month.
Month Two:
On 11/29/21 when I got the beneficiary SSI deposit for my daughter I hoped/expected that I would also get mine. After all it had been more then 30 days and plenty of time for my appeal and form 1588 to be processed.
I tried to call the local offices but the phone either simply rang and rang (off the hook) or I was disconnected. I tried dozens of times over several hours but finally just gave up. So, this time I decided to call the main Social Security Administration/Customer service 800 number: (800) 772-1213. I spoke to a very helpful and compassionate gentleman who indicated again that the correspondence had been received on 10/29/2021 but there were (still) no further updates.
Basically, one month later my letter of appeal and form 1588 is still apparently sitting on the same desk that it was 30 days prior. I was a little frustrated but can completely understand the back log due to Covid. So, he suggested (after the first of the year) that I send the form 1588 and a copy of my updated appeal once again to both the local offices here in Austin and the main Social Security Administration Office located at:
Wilkes-Barre direct Operations Center
P.O. Box 5888
Wilkes-Barre PA 18767-5888
He also indicated that he too would again notate my file to have someone locally contact me as soon as possible. He was confident that enough time had passed that my case would certainly be resolved so aside from that, there was nothing else that I could do.
I withdrew another $2,000 from my IRA at a 40% fee/penalty for Christmas and to pay my bills with the full intent to follow up and send correspondence to both offices again after the first of the year. Honestly, I was holding out hope that the current appeal would process and on January 1 I would get my direct deposit again.
But then the holidays got hectic, family came to town for 3 weeks, and I got REALLY sick. In addition, this was the time of year that my husband died so the holidays are never fun for any of us. To add insult to injury my brother died in a fatal car accident on December 26, 2021. So needless to say, my depression, the holiday and my illness distracted me. I also missed my brother’s funeral because I couldn’t afford to travel, and I was sick. This has all been very devastating.
So, all things considered, I didn’t get my letter of appeal (this letter) completed until today 1/21/2022
Month Three:
I knew I wouldn’t receive my benefits on 1/1/22 because apparently, I am no longer in the system. I did receive the updated ‘cost of living increase’ for my daughter but nothing on behalf of myself. I called again on the third week of December and received the same update as before. Basically, my forms and appeal are sitting on a desk somewhere in Austin Texas, untouched and unprocessed.
This representative apologized for the lack of follow-up and suggested that he would once again note my file and ask a local representative to contact me for a case review and formal appeal via phone conference. Now that I am in my 4th month without benefits, I indicated the sense of urgency once again.
I have tried to be proactive through this entire process including contacting my financial adviser to ask if there was any reason why my benefits would be permanently terminated. I inquired about my unemployment income and to see if maybe I took too much out of my IRA rendering me ineligible. He assured me that at the conclusion each tax year everything was reconciled. I am pleading with someone to please contact me so that I can discuss my case and see what I need to do in order to reinstate my monthly benefit. Prompt attention would be much appreciated; I am living off my IRA and Credit Card cash advances right now.
Please send help… I am drowning.
Deborah S.
Please contact your Congress Representative for help. You can email this very clear and concise correspondence you’ve posted here. Don’t give up and be sure to insist on the back payments. So sorry this has happened but congressional members have proven to be very helpful. Praying and trusting for your success.
A.C.
Hi, Sherri. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. We have also referred your concerns to our Operations Staff. You can submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. 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.