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Social Security Launches Redesigned Website at SSA.gov

December 6, 2022 • By

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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. Michael N.

    Why is the Help Desk saying that all offices are closed when it’s 10:00 am on a Tuesday morning? This is total incompetence. I can’t access my account since the new update and can’t speak to anyone only go around and around with an automated robot. Then this uses a robot to verify that I am not a robot.

  2. Michael N.

    Absolutely ridiculous. I accessed the new site and it gave me a code. I enetered it then it took me to another sign in screen and asked if I had a code. I selected “Yes” and again ebetered the code received in my text. It then said the code was not recognized. Then it transferred me to another sign in screen asking again for my personal information. Then I got the message that their was already and account and again took me to the sign in screen. I entered my sign in information again and it locked me out. This is the second time I have been locked out. Then I tried calling Social Security but it said the offices were closed again. This is stupid.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Michael. 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.

  3. Jerry

    I’m trying to access the ssa 1099 from 2021, but the link is not there anymore.

    • Charley P.

      Me too, bit of a joke when searches tell you to go to the replacement documents tab and its not there anymore.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Jerry. Thanks for your comment. For years prior to the last year, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives for assistance.You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. AnnelieR

    After the phone code and agreeing to terms, I get a blank page to access my ssi account.
    This has been happening since the new format from Dec 6, 2021. Obviously it has something to do with that.
    I have read the other comments and it looks like the issue has been a problem for some time.
    I can’t seem to find an announcement of a existing problem and the answers here on this site from the ssi administration are not helpful.
    Thank you

    • A.C.

      Hi, AnnelieR. 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. Linda

    I’ve tried to view my account numerous times over the last few days at different times of the day. I get to a page that says “loading” and then nothing happens.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Linda. 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.

  6. Patricia S.

    I tried checking my account as usual and after the phone code and checking agree to terms, I get a blank page. This is the first time I’ve ever had an issue. Is the site down?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Patricia. 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.

      • Nader D.

        I’m having the same issue, a my social security blank screen with a download option for another blank . So glad SSA fixed something that wasn’t broken. By the way what happened to the live text option, it says closed and it’s 9 am pst? Can’t get a callback either !

        • A.C.

          Hi, Nader. 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.

    • Annelie R.

      I get the same thing.

  7. Christine T.

    Hello,
    I apologize if this comment has already been addressed. I am wondering why /My Social Security /online account closes at 1:00 am? I don’t need to ask a question or call anyone, I only want to get info, yet I’m unable to access my account. This seems strange to close an online information site. Thank you & have a lovely New Year!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Christine. Thanks for visiting our blog. We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to use all of our online services today. Due to scheduled systems maintenance, some of our Online Services were unavailable during certain times. Thanks, again.

  8. Chere A.

    When you go into the web site and wait for it to come up it just says loading and never comes up???? Waited for 30 min for it to load.

  9. Patrick J.

    Why doesn’t the benefits estimator include the upcoming COLA? I don’t see any info on the COLA on mysocialsecurity.gov. Should there not atleast be an asterisk indicating that the figures don’t include the COLA? Will it be sometime in January before the numbers are adjusted for the COLA?

  10. Joseph K.

    I cannot bring up my account.
    I enter the code sent and the next window is blank.
    I called and waited for over an hour for someone to answer
    and finally a woman answered and said I don’t know what to tell you.
    I have had this problem for over a month.
    Please can someone give me the CORRECT answer to this problem.

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