What you need to log in to My Social Security for disability

To access your disability account on ssa.gov, you will use the same login process as any other My Social Security user. You need either a username and password you created earlier, or you can sign in using a third-party account — Google, Facebook, or an ID.me account. If you do not have a My Social Security account yet, you will create one before you can view your disability information.

The login page itself does not distinguish between disability beneficiaries and other users. Once you are logged in, your dashboard will show your current benefit status, payment information, and any messages from the Social Security Administration (SSA) related to your case. For people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the account works the same way.

You do not need to be online to start the process — you can begin creating an account or resetting a password from any device with internet access, and the SSA will send you confirmation emails at each step.

Key Takeaways

  • You log into My Social Security using a username and password you create, or by signing in through Google, Facebook, or ID.me.
  • If you have never created a My Social Security account, you will set one up before you can see your disability benefit information.
  • The login process is the same for all users; your disability status does not change how you sign in.
  • Once logged in, you can view your benefit amount, payment history, and any official messages from the SSA about your case.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it using your email address or phone number without calling the SSA.

Creating a My Social Security account for the first time

Go to ssa.gov and look for the "My Social Security" link, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it, then select "Create an account." You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. The SSA will send a verification code to that email — check your inbox and spam folder, then enter the code on the next screen.

After you verify your email, you will create a username (at least 8 characters) and a password (at least 12 characters, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol). Write these down somewhere safe. You will then answer security questions — these are used if you need to reset your password later. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

Once your account is created, you can log in when ready. The SSA may ask you to verify your identity a second time using ID.me, a third-party service. This step confirms you are who you say you are and protects your account from fraud. You can do this online using a photo ID and a selfie, or you can skip it and verify later.

Logging in with a username and password

On the My Social Security login page, enter your username in the first field and your password in the second. Click "Sign In." If you see a message saying your account is locked, it means you entered the wrong password too many times. Wait 30 minutes, then try again. If you still cannot log in, use the "Forgot username or password?" link instead.

The SSA recommends using a password manager — a tool that stores your login information securely — so you do not have to remember a long, complex password. Popular options include Bitwarden, 1Password, and LastPass. If you use one, make sure you remember the master password that unlocks it.

Using a third-party account to sign in

If you have a Google, Facebook, or ID.me account, you can use it to sign into My Social Security without creating a separate username and password. On the login page, click the button for the service you want to use. You will be taken to that service's login page, enter your credentials there, and then be sent back to My Social Security. This method is faster if you already have one of these accounts and use it regularly.

The first time you sign in this way, the SSA will ask you to confirm your Social Security number and date of birth. After that, you can use the same third-party account every time. If you later want to switch to a username and password instead, you can change this in your account settings.

Resetting a forgotten password

On the My Social Security login page, click "Forgot username or password?" Enter your Social Security number and date of birth. The SSA will ask whether you want to reset your password using your email address or phone number. Choose the method you have access to right now.

If you choose email, the SSA will send a link to the email address on file. Click the link, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. The link expires after 24 hours. If you choose phone, the SSA will send a code via text message to the phone number on file. Enter that code on the next screen, then create a new password.

If you do not have access to the email or phone number on file, you will need to verify your identity using ID.me before you can reset your password. This involves uploading a photo ID and taking a selfie. The process usually takes a few minutes, and you will know right away whether you passed.

What to do if you cannot log in

If you have tried resetting your password and still cannot access your account, the problem may be with your browser or internet connection. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If you are using an older browser, update it to the latest version. If you are on a public Wi-Fi network, try switching to a different network or using your phone's data instead.

If none of these steps work, you can contact the SSA directly. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are usually shortest early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person — find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator.

When you call or visit, have your Social Security number, date of birth, and the email address or phone number associated with your account ready. The SSA representative can help you regain access or troubleshoot what went wrong.

What you can see and do once you are logged in

Your My Social Security dashboard shows your current monthly benefit amount, the date of your next payment, and your payment history for the past 12 months. You can also view your earnings record — the wages the SSA has on file for you — which affects how much you receive. If you see an error in your earnings record, you can file a correction request through your account.

You can change your address, phone number, and email address without calling the SSA. You can also request a replacement Social Security card, view your benefit verification letter (useful for housing or loan applications), and check whether the SSA has received any recent medical evidence if you are on disability. If the SSA sends you a message about your case, it will appear in your account inbox.

You cannot file a new disability claim through My Social Security — you must do that by phone, in person, or online through a separate process. However, once your claim is approved, My Social Security is the easiest way to track your case and stay updated on your benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same My Social Security account for multiple family members?

No. Each person needs their own account with their own Social Security number. If you manage benefits for a family member, you cannot access their account using your login. You would need to contact the SSA or visit an office to handle their case on their behalf.

Is My Social Security safe to use on my phone?

Yes. The SSA uses encryption to protect your information, and the official My Social Security website and app are find. Use only the official ssa.gov website or the My Social Security mobile app — do not log in through a link in an email or text message, as these are often scams. If you are unsure, go directly to ssa.gov in your browser instead.

What if I created a My Social Security account but never verified my email?

Your account exists but is not fully active. Go to the login page, click "Forgot username or password?", and follow the steps to verify your email address. Once verified, you can log in normally. If you no longer have access to that email address, contact the SSA to update it.

Can I change my username after I create it?

No. Usernames cannot be changed once they are created. If you want a different username, you would need to create a new account with a different email address. However, you can always use a third-party login (Google, Facebook, or ID.me) instead, which does not require you to remember a username.

How do I know if someone else has accessed my account?

Log into My Social Security and check your account activity. If you see a login from a time or place you do not recognize, change your password when ready and contact the SSA. You can also enable two-factor authentication if the SSA offers it — this adds an extra security step when you log in from a new device.