Social Security Launches Redesigned Website at SSA.gov
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
Starting today, visitors to SSA.gov will experience a fresh homepage and a new design to help them find what they need more easily.
“SSA.gov is visited by over 180 million people per year and it is one of our most important tools for providing efficient and equitable access to service,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. “Whether providing service in person or online, our goal is to help people understand what they may qualify for and seamlessly transition them to an application process.” Improved self-service capability allows people to skip calling or visiting an office, which helps Social Security staff focus on those visitors who need in-person assistance.
Reimagined website prioritizes customer experience
Part of ongoing efforts to improve how the public can do business with the agency, the redesign is intended to provide a clear path to the tasks customers need to accomplish. Many of the most visited sections of SSA.gov are now live with a more user-friendly and task-based approach. New pages and improvements based on public feedback will continue to be unveiled in the coming months.
Visitors to SSA.gov can use interactive tools to:
Check eligibility for benefits
The new benefit eligibility screener is a convenient and simple way for people to learn if they might be eligible for benefits.
Save time on Social Security Number (SSN) and card online services
If a person loses their SSN card, they may not need a replacement. In most cases, simply knowing their SSN is enough. If a person does need a replacement card, they may be able to request it online by visiting our Social Security Number and Card page. Individuals can also start an application for an updated card or request an SSN for the first time. People may never need to visit an office and, if they do need to visit an office to complete the application, they will save a lot of time by starting online.
Start an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
People can start the application process online and request an appointment to apply for SSI benefits by answering a few questions on our SSI page.
Apply for Social Security benefits and other online services
For most benefits, people can apply online or start an application online. In many cases, there are no forms to sign. The agency will review the application and reach out with questions or for more information. Visit our Online Services page to apply for retirement, disability, or Medicare.
Many Social Security services do not require the public to take time to visit an office. Using a my Social Security account, a personalized online service, people can start or change direct deposit, or request a replacement SSA-1099. For individuals already receiving Social Security benefits, they can print or download a current Benefit Verification Letter if they need proof of their benefits.
People not yet receiving benefits can use their online account to get a personalized Social Security Statement, which provides their earnings information as well as estimates of their future benefits. The portal also includes a retirement calculator and links to information about other online services. The agency encourages people without a my Social Security account to create one today on our website.
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account, online services, social security, SSI
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Randy
Why is there so much trouble with the site today? After 4-5 tries, I finally tried again on my phone browser and was able to finish the login process and see my account and 11/29 message regarding 2023. Now trying again ona standard device, I received a specific message that the service was unavailable, to try separately at a later time. ????
A.C.
Hi, Randy. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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.” We hope this helps.
David V.
I never signed up for Medicare but Every month since turning 65 my SSA retirement check has been deducted to pay for Medicare. I have never used Medicare as I am a100 percent Disabled Veteran permanent and total since 2000. I do not need nor want Medicare why does my SSA check keep being deducted??
jeanmike
Assuming you were already receiving benefits when you became eligible for Medicare, a Medicare card would have been sent to you automatically showing Parts A & B. The instructions would have advised what to do if you didn’t want or need Part B. You now should either contact your local SSA office or call the national 800# at 1-800-772-1213 to explain the situation and to withdraw from Part B.
A.C.
Hi, David. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you have coverage under a program from the Department of Defense, your health benefits may change or end when you become eligible for Medicare. You should contact the Department of Defense or a military health benefits advisor for information on whether you need to be enrolled in Medicare medical insurance. For more information on how other health insurance plans work with Medicare, call the Medicare toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), and ask for Medicare and Other Health Benefits: Your Guide to Who Pays First (Publication No. CMS-02179). Hope this helps.
fffred
It looks nice and professional. Compact and efficient…traits that I normally prefer. But for some reason I miss those big tiles with the friendly photographs…like old friends…on them. So, a bit sad.
But I have been very pleased to see the updates internally to My Social Security and related pages over the past 2 years that provide more technical information, more benefits information (now including for spouses), and emphasis on the CFR and POMS…these are really valuable!
fffred
Adding: The new site lacks a plain direction to “My Social Security”. There is the “Account Home” little thing at top right but that’s not clearly “My Social Security”. I think the old site with the clear button to “My Social Security” was better.
A little bug is that at the same spot there is a “Log Out” menu item. Clicking this (when you’re not signed in) goes to an error page.
jeanmike
The “Log In” option in the upper right is more direct than when the screen showed “mysocialsecurity.” There is only ONE account to sign into.
fffred
I’m not so sure that the new “Log In” is more direct. It is not defined as to what I am going to be logging into (though I have done so and know where it goes). For all I know there are multiple things that one might be logging into at the SSA.
There is so much emphasis on “My Social Security” now that they should be consistent and tell people “yep, this is where you log into My Social Security”.
fffred
On reflection, I preferred the previous home page. It was clear with the entry into “My Social Security” and the other entry buttons (that I rarely accessed). I think the new home page is several steps back to an earlier view of the “web”. In comparison, the previous home page was like a welcoming magazine.
Of course, I do appreciate the work done over the past 2 years with fleshing-out the “working” pages of benefits, applications, etc. Nice work!
Udaysree
I am not able to access my online account. Resetting login does not work. I called SSA and the company who is responsible for login verification. All did not help. The issue was that I was supposed to receive a code to verify login by text message which I never received. Bottom line, I can’t access my account.
Dee
Suddenly I can’t get the page to load. I was able to login and see my account. Last week. I wanted to check one more thing. I tried yesterday it says page loading….and never loads. I tried again today same thing. I noticed the website was redesigned could that be it. I can get but so far…then it won’t load. I did not have this problem last week. What is up??
Julia
I had a similar problem. I used a different browser and was able to get in fine. However, I don’t see a single thing different with this website.
fffred
The “My Social Security” pages were not changed; only the main public landing page (www.ssa.gov) was changed.
Sadly, the clear link to “My Social Security” was lost with this update. I think they should restore it.
jeanmike
What could be clearer than “Sign In”? There is only one “my socialsecurity” account to access.
A.C.
Hi, Dee. We are sorry to hear about your experience. If you are still unable to create 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.” We hope this helps.
Dolores (.
Thank you for your reply. I was able to get on the website just fine 2 or 3 times last week. Now I can even get the website to download it just says loading. I set up an account a few years ago. My account always worked but I cannot check anything on the SSA website if it will not load. I didn’t change anything since last week. the question is did something on the website changed.
If we are no longer getting paper statements this is not a good thing if some cannot download the website of access any links on the webiste. What do we do, it juse to work fine for me.
Thank you
timothy j.
I need to change my with holdings ,how do I do this ?
A.C.
Hi, Timothy. Thanks for your question. In order to have taxes withheld or to change the amount of your withholding from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail. Please see our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
khan,shabbir A.
KHAN,SHABBIR
I need to change my social security to be sent to y new bank, how would I do. Please let me know.
Thanks
A.C.
Hi, Khan. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security account to change your direct deposit online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local Social Security office immediately. We hope this helps.
Pia
Lovely…especially since I’ve never been able to access my account on ssa.gov.
Judith L.
Because I knew that my own benefits would be higher than *spousal* benefits, I never realized that I was eligible for *survivor* benefits when my husband died. I missed over four years of benefits because I didn’t know the difference between spousal and survivor and didn’t contact Social Security. I wish there was a way to make this impossible to happen, perhaps by sending a notice to all survivors when somebody dies.
Lesly F.
I hope ssa help Elderly who have no income no money in there hand
Tom O.
So you want those of us who have paid into Social Security to fund those who didn’t ?
Helen
There are programs available to those not eligible for Social Security. You should contact your state.
ffred
Actually, they do!
The program is called SSI, Supplemental Security Income. This program is paid for by general tax revenue. It is NOT paid for by worker’s OASDI (Social Security) payroll taxes. It is essentially “welfare”. Low income people receiving Social Security benefits *may* receive SSA benefits as well, if I recall correctly (and I may be wrong), but must meet the requirements for benefits.
SSI is administered by the SSA (Social Security Administration) but it is NOT Social Security… it is a separate program paid for by general taxes.
jeanmike
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is paid to people who are 65 or disabled with very limited income and resource. SSI benefits are paid from general U.S. funds, not from SSA trust funds. Applicants must prove they are U.S. citizens or legally in the U.S.
Andrew K.
I need a new social security card, how can I get one?
Walt
Right here..
https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
A.C.
Hi, Andrew. Thanks for your question. First, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing the Social Security number is what is important. To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. We hope this helps.