Where to log in to your SSDI account

You log into your SSDI account through my Social Security, the official Social Security Administration portal. This is the only place Social Security runs for account access — not a third-party site, not an app, and not through Medicare or Medicaid portals even though those programs connect to your SSDI.

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount to reach the login page. You will see a button labeled "Sign In" or "Create an Account" depending on whether you have already set up credentials. Social Security does not send unsolicited login links by email or text, so if you receive one claiming to be from SSA, do not click it.

The my Social Security portal works on desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers. Social Security has not released an official mobile app for SSDI account access, though scam apps exist — search only for "my Social Security" through your device's official app store if you want a shortcut to the website.

Key Takeaways

  • The official login is at ssa.gov/myaccount, and Social Security never sends unsolicited login links by email or text.
  • You need either a Social Security account username and password, or a Login.gov account that you have linked to your Social Security record.
  • Once logged in, you can view your payment history, check your current benefit amount, report a change in your work or living situation, and read tax documents.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Username or Password" link on the login page — Social Security will verify your identity through security questions or by mailing a reset code to your address on file.
  • Two-factor authentication is optional but recommended; it sends a code to your phone or email each time you log in from a new device.

Creating a my Social Security account for the first time

If you have never logged in before, you have two paths: create a Social Security username and password directly, or use an existing Login.gov account. Login.gov is a government-wide identity service that works across multiple federal agencies; if you already have one from filing taxes or accessing Veterans benefits, you can link it to your Social Security record instead of creating new credentials.

To create a Social Security account, click "Create an Account" on the ssa.gov/myaccount homepage. You will enter your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and phone number. Social Security will send a verification code to your email — enter it to confirm. Then create a username (at least 8 characters) and a password (at least 12 characters, with uppercase, lowercase, number, and symbol). Write these down or store them in a password manager; Social Security cannot retrieve them if you lose them.

If you choose Login.gov instead, click "Sign in with Login.gov" on the my Social Security page. If you do not have a Login.gov account yet, you will create one there first (email, password, and phone verification), then return to Social Security to link it to your record by entering your Social Security number and date of birth.

What you can do once you are logged in

The my Social Security dashboard shows your current monthly benefit amount, the date of your last payment, and a running list of deposits to your bank account or payment card. You can view this information going back several years, which is useful if you need to verify what you received in a particular month for tax purposes or to dispute a payment error.

You can also read your Social Security Benefit Verification Letter directly from your account — this is the document you need to prove your SSDI status to a landlord, lender, or government program. The letter includes your name, benefit amount, and the date your benefits began. You do not have to call or visit an office to get one.

If your situation has changed — you started working, moved, got married, or had a change in your living arrangement — you can report it through your account. Social Security will ask follow-up questions depending on what you report. For example, if you report work income, the system will ask how much you earned and when, because SSDI has work incentives that allow you to earn money without losing all your benefits. Reporting through your account is faster than calling, and you get a confirmation number.

You can also read tax documents (Form SSA-1099 or Form SSA-1042S) if you need them for filing taxes, and view your earnings record to check that Social Security has credited your work history correctly.

Password reset and account recovery

If you forget your username, click "Forgot Username or Password" on the login page and enter your email address. Social Security will send you a link to reset both. If you do not have access to the email address on file, you can answer security questions instead — Social Security will ask about your personal history (previous addresses, family members, financial accounts you may have had).

If you cannot answer the security questions or do not remember your email, Social Security will mail a password reset code to your mailing address on file. This takes 5 to 7 business days. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person with a photo ID to reset your password when ready, though wait times vary by location.

If someone else has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and call Social Security's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Report the unauthorized access and ask Social Security to flag your account for monitoring.

Two-factor authentication and account security

Two-factor authentication adds a second security step: after you enter your username and password, Social Security sends a code to your phone (via text) or email. You enter that code before you can access your account. This prevents someone who knows your password from logging in unless they also have your phone or email.

Two-factor authentication is optional, but Social Security recommends it. To turn it on, log in to your account, go to "Settings," and select "Security." Choose whether you want codes sent by text or email, and add a backup phone number or email in case your primary one is unavailable. If you lose access to your phone or email, you can still reset your password using security questions or by visiting an office.

Never share your username, password, or two-factor codes with anyone — not even someone claiming to work for Social Security. Real Social Security employees will never ask for your password or codes over the phone or email.

Troubleshooting common login problems

If you see an error message that your username or password is incorrect, check that you are typing them exactly as you created them — they are case-sensitive, and spaces or extra characters will cause the login to fail. If you are certain you typed correctly, use the password reset link.

If the website is very slow or you cannot load the page at all, try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) or clear your browser's cache and cookies. Social Security's servers occasionally experience maintenance windows, usually announced on the homepage; if you see a message about scheduled maintenance, try again after the window closes.

If you see a message that your account is locked, it usually means you entered an incorrect password too many times in a row. Wait 30 minutes and try again, or use the password reset link. If your account remains locked after that, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to unlock it.

If you created your account years ago and have not logged in recently, Social Security may have deactivated it for security reasons. Use the password reset link to reactivate it, or create a new account using the same email address and Social Security number.

What my Social Security does not do

You cannot change your benefit amount, request a benefit increase, or appeal a decision through my Social Security. Those actions require submitting forms or requesting a hearing, which you do through the mail, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. The my Social Security portal is for viewing information and reporting changes to your circumstances — not for making formal requests to Social Security.

You also cannot use my Social Security to explore for SSDI in the first place. New applications go through a separate process involving the Social Security office, your doctor's medical records, and a information by Social Security's medical consultants. Once you are approved and receiving benefits, then you can create a my Social Security account to manage your existing case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Social Security the same as Medicare or Medicaid login?

No. My Social Security is only for Social Security benefits (SSDI, retirement, survivor benefits). Medicare has its own portal at Medicare.gov, and Medicaid varies by state. If you receive both SSDI and Medicare, you have separate accounts for each. However, Social Security shares information with Medicare automatically, so when your SSDI is approved, Medicare enrollment usually happens without a separate step.

Can I log in on behalf of someone else?

Only if you have legal authority — you are their representative payee, conservator, or power of attorney. Social Security requires you to register as an authorized representative through a separate process before you can access their account. You cannot straightforward use their username and password. Contact your local Social Security office to set up representative payee access.

What if I do not have an email address?

You need an email address to create a my Social Security account, because Social Security uses it to send verification codes and password reset links. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo. Once you have an email, you can proceed with account creation. If you cannot access email, you can still manage your SSDI by calling Social Security or visiting an office in person.

How often should I log in to check my account?

There is no required frequency. Most people log in once a month to confirm their payment was deposited, or when they need to read a document like their benefit verification letter. If you report a change in your work or living situation, log in a few days later to confirm Social Security received it.

Is my Social Security safe from hackers?

My Social Security uses encryption and security measures similar to banking websites, but no system is completely risk-free. Use a strong, unique password, enable two-factor authentication, and never enter your login information on a website you reached through an email link or text message. If you suspect fraud, change your password when ready and call Social Security's fraud line at 1-800-269-0271.