What you need to log into your disability account
To access your Social Security disability information online, you log in through my Social Security, which is Social Security's official website portal. You do not use a separate "SDI" login — SDI (State Disability Insurance) is a different program run by individual states, while Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is federal. If you are looking for your SSDI account, you go to ssa.gov and use the my Social Security sign-in.
You will need either a my Social Security username and password, or you can sign in using a third-party account like Google, Facebook, or Apple ID if you have already linked one to your Social Security profile.
If you have not yet created a my Social Security account, you can set one up at ssa.gov/myaccount. The process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or address on file with Social Security.
Key Takeaways
- You log into SSDI information through my Social Security at ssa.gov, not through a separate SDI portal.
- You can sign in with a username and password you create, or with an existing Google, Facebook, or Apple account.
- Creating a new my Social Security account requires your Social Security number and a way to verify your identity.
- Once logged in, you can view your benefit amount, payment history, and representative payee information if one is assigned to you.
- If you cannot remember your password, you can reset it on the sign-in page without calling Social Security.
Steps to create a my Social Security account
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account." You will be asked for your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number or mailing address that Social Security has on record. Social Security will send a one-time code to your email or phone to confirm your identity.
After you verify that code, you create a username and password. Your username can be anything you choose — it does not have to be your name or Social Security number. Write down your username and password somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store them.
Once your account is created, you can log in when ready. The first time you sign in, Social Security may ask you security questions based on information in your file to confirm it is really you.
What you can see once you are logged in
Inside my Social Security, you can view your current monthly benefit amount, see when your next payment is scheduled, and read a benefit verification letter that you can use to prove your income to a landlord, lender, or other organization. You can also see your payment history for the past 12 months.
If you receive SSDI and have a representative payee — someone Social Security appointed to manage your benefits because of a medical or legal reason — you can see their name and contact information in your account. You cannot change who your representative payee is through my Social Security; that requires a form and a decision from Social Security.
You can also update your direct deposit information, change your mailing address, and report a change in your living situation or work status. Some changes take effect when ready; others require Social Security to review and approve them.
If you cannot log in or forgot your password
If you forgot your password, select "Forgot username or password?" on the sign-in page. Social Security will send you a link to reset your password to the email address on file. That link is good for one hour.
If you cannot remember the email address you used to create your account, or if you did not receive the reset email, you will need to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have your Social Security number and a form of ID ready. Wait times are usually shortest early in the morning on weekdays.
If you created your account using a third-party sign-in (Google, Facebook, or Apple), you can still reset your password by going through that service. For example, if you signed up with Google, you reset your password through your Google account settings, not through Social Security.
The difference between my Social Security and representative payee portals
If you are a representative payee — someone appointed to manage benefits for another person — you do not log into a separate payee portal. You still use my Social Security, but you log in with the beneficiary's information, not your own. Social Security sends you a separate letter with instructions when you are first appointed as a payee.
As a representative payee, you can see the beneficiary's payment history and benefit amount, but you cannot change their address or report changes in their situation. Those changes must come from the beneficiary themselves or from Social Security directly.
If you are unsure whether you have been appointed as a representative payee, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask. They can tell you over the phone and send you any documents you need.
Security and protecting your account
Your my Social Security account holds sensitive information, so protect your username and password the same way you would protect a bank account password. Do not share it with anyone, and do not use the same password for my Social Security that you use for other websites.
Social Security will never ask you for your password by email, phone, or text. If you receive a message claiming to be from Social Security and asking for your login information, it is a scam. Delete it and do not click any links.
If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report it. You can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to protect yourself from identity theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Social Security the same as SDI login?
No. My Social Security is the federal portal for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). SDI is a separate state program. If you receive state disability benefits, you log in through your state's website, not ssa.gov. Check your state's labor or disability department website to find the correct portal.
Can I log in to my Social Security on my phone?
Yes. My Social Security works on phones and tablets. You can read the official Social Security mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or you can open ssa.gov in your phone's browser and log in the same way you would on a computer.
What if I never created a my Social Security account?
You can create one anytime at ssa.gov/myaccount. You do not need to be currently receiving benefits — you can set up an account to track your earnings record or to prepare for a future claim. The account creation process takes about 10 minutes.
Can I see my representative payee's information if I am the beneficiary?
Yes. Once you log into your my Social Security account, you can see your representative payee's name and contact information. However, you cannot remove or change your payee through the website — that requires contacting Social Security directly or filing a form with them.
What should I do if I think my account was hacked?
Change your password when ready, then call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the unauthorized access. They can review your account for suspicious activity and help you find it. You may also want to place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus to monitor for identity theft.