What You Need to Sign Into Your SSDI Account

To access your Social Security account online, you go to ssa.gov and use the my Social Security portal. This is the official Social Security Administration website where you can view your earnings record, check your payment status, and manage your account. You do not need a separate login for SSDI — if you receive SSDI benefits, you use the same my Social Security account as anyone with a Social Security number.

Before you try to sign in, have your Social Security number and a way to verify your identity ready. Social Security uses a security process that requires either a phone number, email address, or both, depending on which sign-in method you choose. If you have never created a my Social Security account before, you will need to set one up first — this takes about 10 minutes and happens on the same ssa.gov website.

Key Takeaways

  • You sign into SSDI through my Social Security at ssa.gov, using the same account as any other Social Security service.
  • You can create an account using your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number for identity verification.
  • Social Security offers three sign-in methods: username and password, an ID.me account, or a Login.gov account, and you choose which one during setup.
  • Once signed in, you can view your current benefit amount, payment dates, and earnings record, and change your address or direct deposit information.
  • If you forget your password or cannot verify your identity, Social Security has a phone line and in-person offices where staff can help you regain access.

Creating a New my Social Security Account

If you do not yet have a my Social Security account, go to ssa.gov and select "Create an account" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. Social Security will send a verification code to that email — check your inbox and spam folder, then enter the code on the website to confirm the email is yours.

Next, you choose how you want to sign in going forward. Social Security offers three options: create a username and password directly with them, sign in through an ID.me account (a third-party identity verification service), or sign in through a Login.gov account (another federal identity service). All three are free. Many people find ID.me or Login.gov easier because those services handle the security verification, but you can choose whichever feels most comfortable to you.

After you pick your sign-in method, Social Security will ask you to verify your identity. This usually means answering questions about your personal history — things like previous addresses, loan accounts, or credit history that only you would know. This step protects your account from fraud. Once you pass verification, your account is active and you can sign in when ready.

Signing In and What You Can Do Once You Are Inside

Once you are signed in to my Social Security, you can see your current monthly benefit amount, the date your next payment arrives, and your complete earnings record — the wages Social Security has on file for every year you worked. You can also view your Social Security Statement, which shows an estimate of what your retirement, survivor, and disability benefits would be.

From your account, you can change your mailing address, update your phone number or email, and change your direct deposit information if you want your SSDI payment sent to a different bank account. You can also request a replacement Social Security card, view your tax information, and report a change in your circumstances — though for some changes, like reporting work or a change in medical condition, you may need to contact Social Security by phone or in person as well.

You cannot file a new SSDI claim through my Social Security. If you are explore for SSDI for the first time, you must call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit a local Social Security office to start your claim. But once you are receiving SSDI, my Social Security is where you manage your account day-to-day.

If You Forget Your Password or Cannot Sign In

If you forget your password, go to ssa.gov and select "Forgot username or password?" on the sign-in page. Social Security will ask you to enter your Social Security number and email address, then send a password reset link to your email. Click the link, create a new password, and you can sign in again. This usually takes a few minutes.

If you cannot receive the verification code or reset email — for example, if you no longer have access to the email address you used to create your account — you will need to verify your identity by phone or in person. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and explain that you cannot access your account. A representative can help you regain access or update your email and phone number on file. You can also visit a local Social Security office with a photo ID and Social Security card to reset your account in person.

If you used ID.me or Login.gov to sign in and you forgot that password instead, you will need to reset it through that service's website, not through Social Security. ID.me and Login.gov have their own password recovery processes.

Security and Protecting Your Account

Social Security recommends using a strong, unique password — one that includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and that you do not use anywhere else. Do not share your password with anyone, including Social Security staff. Social Security employees will never ask for your password by phone, email, or text message.

Be cautious of emails or text messages claiming to be from Social Security and asking you to sign in or verify your account. These are usually scams. If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links. Instead, go directly to ssa.gov in your web browser and sign in normally, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the message.

If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to protect yourself from identity theft.

Troubleshooting Common Sign-In Problems

If the website says "We were unable to verify your identity," it usually means the information you entered during account creation did not match Social Security's records closely enough. This can happen if your name, date of birth, or address is spelled differently in Social Security's system than you entered it. Try signing in again and enter your information exactly as it appears on your Social Security card or birth certificate. If that does not work, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask Social Security to check what name and address they have on file for you.

If the website is slow or you cannot load the sign-in page, try a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. Social Security's website sometimes experiences heavy traffic during business hours. If the problem persists, try again later or call 1-800-772-1213 for help.

If you are using a public computer — at a library or community center, for example — do not save your password on that computer. Always sign out completely when you are done, and never leave your account open unattended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign into my SSDI account on my phone?

Yes. The my Social Security website works on phones and tablets. You can also read the official Social Security mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, which lets you sign in and view your account information on your phone. The app has the same features as the website.

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, Outlook, or another provider in a few minutes. Once you have an email address, you can set up your Social Security account. If you cannot get online to create an email account, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask about other ways to manage your account.

Is my Social Security account the same as my SSDI account?

Yes. There is only one my Social Security account. Whether you receive SSDI, retirement benefits, survivor benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you use the same login. The account shows all the benefits you receive from Social Security in one place.

Can I sign in if I am outside the United States?

Yes. You can sign into my Social Security from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. However, some features — like requesting a replacement Social Security card — may not be available if you are outside the U.S. For those services, you may need to contact a U.S. embassy or consulate.

What should I do if Social Security locked my account?

Social Security locks accounts temporarily if someone tries to sign in with the wrong password multiple times. Wait 24 hours, then try signing in again. If your account is still locked after 24 hours, or if you think someone tried to break into your account, call 1-800-772-1213 and explain what happened. A representative can unlock your account and help you find it.