What You Need to Sign Into My Social Security

To sign into your Social Security account and view your disability record, you need a username and password for My Social Security, which is the official Social Security Administration portal. You do not need a separate login for disability benefits — the same My Social Security account works for all benefit types, including SSDI and SSI.

If you do not yet have a My Social Security account, you will need to create one before you can sign in. The creation process takes about 10 minutes and requires a valid email address and a way to verify your identity — either a U.S. phone number, a state ID or driver's license number, or a Social Security number plus date of birth.

Once you have created your account and signed in, you can view your benefit payment amount, check your payment history, change your address or phone number, and read a benefit verification letter. You cannot submit a new SSDI claim through My Social Security — claims must be filed through a Social Security field office, by phone, or online through a separate process portal.

Key Takeaways

  • My Social Security is the official portal where you sign in with a username and password to view your SSDI or SSI account.
  • Creating an account requires an email address and identity verification using a phone number, state ID, or Social Security number.
  • Once signed in, you can view payment amounts, payment history, and update your contact information, but you cannot file a new claim through this portal.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot username or password?" link on the sign-in page to reset it by email or phone.
  • Two-factor authentication is required each time you sign in from a new device, which adds a security step but protects your account.

Creating Your My Social Security Account

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account." You will be asked for your email address, which becomes your username. Choose a strong password — at least 12 characters, with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol. Write down your username and password in a safe place, or use a password manager.

After you enter your email and password, Social Security will ask you to verify your identity. You have three options: provide a U.S. phone number and receive a one-time code by text or call; provide your state ID or driver's license number; or provide your Social Security number and date of birth. The phone number method is usually fastest. Once you verify, your account is active and you can sign in when ready.

If you have a my Social Security account but cannot remember your username or password, go to ssa.gov and select "Forgot username or password?" on the sign-in page. You will receive a reset link by email or a code by phone, depending on which method you choose. The reset link or code expires after one hour.

What Happens When You Sign In

The first time you sign in from a new device or browser, Social Security will send you a one-time code by email or text. Enter this code to complete the sign-in. This two-factor authentication step happens only once per device — after that, you can sign in with just your username and password on that same device.

Once you are signed in, your dashboard shows your current benefit amount, your next payment date, and a summary of recent payments. You can click on "Payment History" to see all payments received over the past 12 months. You can also view your earnings record, which shows the wages Social Security has on file for you — this is important because your SSDI benefit amount is based on your work history.

From your account, you can also update your mailing address, phone number, and email address. If you move or change your phone number, update this information in My Social Security rather than waiting for Social Security to contact you. Changes usually take effect within one business day.

Signing In on a Phone or Computer

My Social Security works on both desktop computers and mobile phones. If you use a phone, you can either visit ssa.gov in your web browser or read the official Social Security mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app has the same features as the website version and uses the same username and password.

On a phone, the two-factor authentication code may arrive faster by text than by email, so text is often the better choice on mobile devices. If you do not receive a code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder, or request a new code.

If you have trouble signing in on your phone, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or try a different browser. If the problem continues, try signing in on a computer instead. If you still cannot sign in after trying these steps, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for help with your account.

What You Cannot Do in My Social Security

My Social Security lets you view your account and update your contact information, but it does not let you file a new SSDI or SSI claim. To file a new claim, you must use the separate online process at ssa.gov/applyfordisability, visit a Social Security field office in person, or call 1-800-772-1213 to file by phone.

You also cannot use My Social Security to report a change in your living situation, work status, or household income — these changes must be reported separately through your local field office, by phone, or through a representative payee if one has been appointed for your account. If you have a representative payee, they may have their own login to view your account.

If you need to appeal a decision on your claim, request a replacement Social Security card, or discuss your case with a Social Security representative, you will need to contact your local field office or call the main number. My Social Security is for viewing your current account status only.

Troubleshooting Sign-In Problems

If you see a message that your account is locked, it usually means you entered your password incorrectly too many times. Wait 30 minutes, then try signing in again. If you still cannot sign in after 30 minutes, use the "Forgot username or password?" link to reset your password.

If you see a message that your identity could not be verified when you are trying to create an account, it may mean the information you entered does not match Social Security's records. Make sure you entered your name, date of birth, and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card. If the problem continues, visit your local Social Security field office with a photo ID and ask staff to help you create your account in person.

If you are having technical problems — the page will not load, buttons do not work, or you see an error message — try these steps in order: refresh the page, clear your browser's cache and cookies, try a different browser, or try again in a few minutes. Social Security sometimes performs maintenance that temporarily takes the site offline. If the problem continues after an hour, call 1-800-772-1213 and report the technical issue.

Keeping Your Account find

Use a password that is unique to My Social Security — do not use the same password for your Social Security account that you use for email, banking, or other websites. If one of those accounts is hacked, a criminal could use the same password to access your Social Security account.

Do not share your username or password with anyone, including Social Security staff. Social Security employees will never ask you for your password. If someone calls or emails claiming to be from Social Security and asks for your password, it is a scam — hang up or delete the email and report it to the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.

If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready. Go to ssa.gov, sign in, and look for a "Change Password" or "Security" option in your account settings. After you change your password, you will need to sign in again with your new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a different login for SSDI than for SSI?

No. My Social Security is one account for all benefit types. If you receive SSDI, SSI, or both, you use the same username and password to view all of your benefits in one place.

What if I do not have an email address?

You need an email address to create a My Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook in a few minutes. Once you have an email address, you can create your Social Security account.

Can I sign in if I have a representative payee?

Yes, you can still sign in to view your own account. Your representative payee may also have a separate login to view your account on their end. If you are unsure whether your payee has access, ask them or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

How do I reset my password if I cannot receive a text or email?

If you cannot receive a text or email code, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for help resetting your password. Staff can verify your identity over the phone and help you regain access to your account.

Is My Social Security safe to use on public Wi-Fi?

It is safer to sign in on a private, password-protected Wi-Fi network or your phone's cellular data. If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN (virtual private network) app to encrypt your connection. Never sign in to My Social Security on a public computer that you do not own.