You log into SSDI through My Social Security, not a separate SSDI portal

There is no separate login system for SSDI. Instead, you use My Social Security, the official Social Security Administration (SSA) online account portal. When you log in there, you can view your SSDI payment amount, payment history, representative payee information if you have one, and your earnings record — all in one place.

My Social Security is free and does not require you to call SSA or visit an office to set up. You create an account using your Social Security number and an email address you control. Once you are logged in, the system shows information specific to your case, including whether you are receiving SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both.

If you do not yet have a My Social Security account, you will need to create one before you can log in. The process takes about 10 minutes and requires you to verify your identity through one of several methods SSA offers.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI does not have its own login — you use My Social Security, which is the SSA's single online account for all benefit types.
  • You create a My Social Security account using your Social Security number and email address, and SSA will ask you to verify your identity before you can log in for the first time.
  • Once logged in, you can view your current SSDI payment amount, past payments, work earnings record, and any representative payee details.
  • My Social Security is the only official SSA login portal; scams and fake sites sometimes copy the name, so always go to ssa.gov first.

How to create a My Social Security account

Go to ssa.gov and look for the "My Social Security" button, usually near the top of the page. Click it, then select "Create an account." You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a password you create. SSA will send a verification code to your email — enter that code to confirm the email address is yours.

After you verify your email, SSA will ask you to prove your identity. You have several options: you can answer security questions based on your credit history, upload a photo of your driver's license or state ID, or use a video call with an SSA representative. The fastest route for most people is the security questions method, which takes a few minutes. If you do not have a driver's license or do not want to use video, the questions are usually the next quickest option.

Once SSA confirms your identity, your account is active and you can log in when ready. You do not have to wait for a confirmation email or letter in the mail.

What you can see and do after you log in

Your My Social Security dashboard shows your current monthly SSDI payment amount at the top. Below that, you can view a list of all payments you have received in the past 12 months, with the date and amount of each one. This is useful if you need to verify a payment for a landlord, lender, or other organization.

You can also see your earnings record — the wages SSA has on file for you from each year you worked. This record is important because it determines your SSDI benefit amount. If you spot an error (a year with missing wages, or wages credited to the wrong year), you can report it through My Social Security or by contacting SSA directly.

If you have a representative payee (someone SSA appointed to manage your benefits because of a work-related injury, mental health condition, or other reason), you can see their name and contact information in your account. You can also view any notices SSA has sent you, such as letters about your benefit amount or changes to your case.

Logging in on a phone or computer

My Social Security works on both desktop computers and mobile phones. On a phone, you can use a web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox) to go to ssa.gov and log in the same way you would on a computer. SSA also offers a mobile app called "Social Security" (available on iPhone and Android), which lets you log in using your My Social Security username and password.

The mobile app shows the same information as the website — your payment history, earnings record, and account details. Some people find the app easier to use because it is designed for a smaller screen, but both the app and the website are equally find and official.

What to do if you cannot log in

If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the My Social Security login page. SSA will send a reset link to your email address. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log in again. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.

If you forget the email address you used to create your account, or if you no longer have access to that email, you will need to contact SSA. Call the main SSA number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers), or visit your local SSA office. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you go in person. SSA can help you recover your account or create a new one.

If you see an error message when you try to log in — such as "account locked" or "too many login attempts" — wait 24 hours and try again. SSA temporarily locks accounts after several failed login attempts to protect your information from unauthorized access.

Protecting your My Social Security login

Your My Social Security account contains sensitive information: your Social Security number, payment history, and earnings record. Use a strong password that includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use the same password for My Social Security that you use for email, banking, or other accounts.

Never share your login information with anyone, including SSA staff. SSA employees will never ask you for your password or login details. If someone claiming to be from SSA asks for this information by phone, email, or text, it is a scam — hang up or delete the message and report it to SSA at oig.ssa.gov/report.

Always log in by going to ssa.gov directly in your browser, not by clicking a link in an email or text message. Scammers sometimes send fake emails that look like they are from SSA but link to fake login pages designed to steal your password. If you receive an email claiming to be from SSA, go to ssa.gov in a new browser tab instead of clicking any links in the email.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. My Social Security is one account for all Social Security benefits. If you receive both SSDI and SSI, or if you have ever received either one, your account will show all of them in one place. You log in once and see everything.

Can my representative payee log into my account?

No. Your representative payee cannot access your My Social Security account. If your payee needs to see your payment information, they can contact SSA directly or ask you to show them your account. SSA keeps representative payee and beneficiary accounts separate for security reasons.

What if I created a My Social Security account but I am not receiving SSDI yet?

Your account will still work. Once SSA approves your SSDI claim, your payment information will appear in your existing My Social Security account automatically — you do not need to create a new one. You can log in anytime to check the status of your claim or view other information SSA has on file.

Is My Social Security the same as creating a my.ssa.gov account?

Yes. "My Social Security" and accounts created at my.ssa.gov are the same thing — SSA uses both names for the same login system. Whether you see it called "My Social Security" or "my.ssa.gov," you are using the official SSA portal.

Can I change my payment method through My Social Security?

You can view your current payment method (direct deposit bank account or debit card) in your account, but you cannot change it through My Social Security. To change how you receive your SSDI payment, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Have your new bank account or debit card information ready.