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Social Security Launches Redesigned Website at SSA.gov

December 6, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Social Security Administration LogoStarting 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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About the Author

Jeffrey Buckner, Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. EL

    I can’t log in to My Social Security. All I get is ” We cannot process your request at this time. Please try again later.”
    What’s going on? Why are we all having issues?

    • Jpgr

      If you are using your iPhone go to Settings, Safari, scroll down and select “Clear History and Website Data”.
      Maybe it will work for you.
      On a desktop, there is the usual way of Clearing Cookies and Website Data.

    • A.C.

      Hi, EL. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your account. If you are still unable to access your 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.

  2. Rhonda C.

    I created an account and when I try to log in all I get is a white page that says loading. I have been trying for days. This is not very helpful and I now wish I had not signed up for account on line. I will need my earnings statement and will not be able to get it.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Rhonda. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your account. If you are still unable to access your 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.

    • Bruce B.

      Yeah, I just started having the same problem on my Mac. It still works on my iPhone and I suspect it will work on an iPad. I tried all the Mac related remedies I could find to no avail, but all of them predate Dec 6. The most likely reason is that something Mac-related got overlooked in the “improved” version. I hope they are motivated to find it and fix it.

  3. Janie H.

    I need to

    • Ricky W.

      I need to change my direct deposit to a different bank

      • A.C.

        Hi, Ricky. 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 address online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local Social Security office immediately. We hope this helps.

  4. Kathie M.

    I have been trying to access my account for days…. it says “loading” and sits there! I wanted to check my messages, since electronically is my only option. Is it me? My old phone?
    Every ap is trying to force me to purchase a new phone!!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Kathy. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your account. If you are still unable to access your 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.

  5. Karen A.

    I signed up for my account a few years ago.Now I can’t get back on. I forget my password.Help!!

  6. John M.

    I have been using and logging into SSA.gov for years
    I never had an issue and it was easy to navigate
    I was able to download my statements and to track the growth of my benefit as I patiently waited to get to age 70

    Now for some reason It the website will not let me download statements

    My pop up blockers are turned off but still it only downloads and empty PDF file

    Does anyone else have this issue or is it just me and my computer?

    • Lester

      Ya I don’t like it either

    • A.C.

      Hi, John. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your account. If you are still unable to access your 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.

    • Sharon

      I have been having the same issue! I can’t access my Social Security statement. It just downloads an empty file. I finally got through on the phone – the representative took my information and said she was forwarding to the “HELP” desk. She said I’d get a call back within an hour. That was eight hours ago. I’m not exaggerating!

  7. Hank N.

    This re-resign is incredibly confusing. The past website page was much more user friendly. I assist disabled individuals to go through the amazing web of government. Once again you have made the on-line access more difficult to maneuver. Who makes these decisions ? Do you ever contact disabled individuals on what you are doing ? I am on the website two or three times a week. I can honestly say that the majority of my Clients could not go through the website without my assistance. Get Real !

    Hank Narus
    Disability Benefit Specialist
    Aging and Disability Resource Center of the North.

    • John M.

      I agree with Hank, the old web design was much easier to use

      I think that this is a result of designers who were born and raised in the internet based IT world as opposed to the actual clients who will be using the site

      This same problem occurred when the gov updated the Thrift Savings Plan website and at the same time they eliminated all the data that existed before 2022

    • Scooter

      I see you were posting in 2016 for this New Ease of Access Home Page!
      Your New Page Still Sucks for ease of accessibility to check on an appeal or wavier of overpayment or Anything else in “my services”.
      Typical Government totally incoherent instructions or pathway to specific designation.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Hank. Thanks for your comment. Please submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page at http://ow.ly/91ml50KQiUc. 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.

  8. BigMoney

    Very interesting article about designing. I shared this with 3 others who had made multiple designs. You can look about me here > https://bigmoney.vip/static/affiliate/?ref=3000

  9. Michael F.

    I was wronged but 2 SSI employees, 1 a supervisor. It is costing me $170 a month.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Michael. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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.

      • FB

        Contact Social Security Page is not working.
        Email is not working.
        Phones are not working.
        Could SSA please put out a general response to all on their website?? News Outlet? Anything please

  10. Angel l.

    Porque el caso de mi hijo esta en espera desde Diciembre del 2021,su caso es ssdi; y porque tantas irregularidades en el caso,cuando solo trabaja ahora 4 horas al dia,que quede claro este partime para el es una terapia,en el pasado cuando se pasaba el dia encerrado en la casa,se auto agredia es eso lo que la oficina local quiere para mi hijo,toma tres medicinas para poder dormir,por favor,Angel Vega Sr

Comments are closed.