About Social Security Administration (SSA) Text Messaging

Mobile Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Short Code?

A short code is a 5 or 6 digit phone number that is used to send text messages at scale. They are meant to be shorter than normal phone numbers.

Will SSA ask for my personal information via text messaging?

SSA will never ask you to share your personal information via text messaging. SSA also recommends that you do not send personal information to us via text message, because it is not a secure method of communication. SSA will include limited or no personally identifiable information in our correspondence via text message.

How long am I subscribed to receiving SSA text messages?

Your phone number will continue to receive SSA text messages for each SSA message category that you are subscribed to, until you unsubscribe.

Will I receive additional SSA text messages besides the ones I am currently subscribed to?

You will receive text messages from the SSA message categories listed above if you have subscribed. You may also receive text messages from SSA that are not part of the message categories listed above.

Why am I receiving SSA text messages from different phone numbers?

If you subscribe to more than one message category, then you will receive SSA text messages from different phone numbers. Each message category is assigned a specific phone number. Additionally, SSA text messages that are not part of the message categories listed above may come from a different phone number.

How do I stop receiving text messages from SSA?

You can unsubscribe from receiving SSA text messages by replying STOP to each phone number from which you no longer wish to receive text messages. You can also unsubscribe online, where applicable.

How long does my phone number remain unsubscribed after I have replied STOP?

Your phone number remains unsubscribed from a message category until you resubscribe to receiving text messages from that same message category.

Why am I still receiving SSA text messages even though I replied STOP?

You may continue to receive text messages from other message categories to which you are still subscribed, or other SSA text messages that are not included in these message categories.

Can I resubscribe to receiving SSA text messages after I have unsubscribed?

To resubscribe, reply UNSTOP to the same message you have unsubscribed from. If you no longer have the SSA text message, you can resubscribe by following the same process you used to subscribe initially.

Can I access any web link(s) provided in a text message I received from SSA?

Accessing a web link from official SSA text messages will open a secure ssa.gov website. Data rates may apply.

If I have non-technical questions, who can I contact?

If you have non-technical questions regarding Social Security, you can contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for assistance or visit https://www.ssa.gov/.

What do I do if I suspect fraudulent activity or scam?

Please visit https://oig.ssa.gov/report/ or call the Inspector General's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

What mobile carriers can we deliver messages to?

While this list is subject to change, we are currently able to deliver messages to the following mobile phone carriers: Major carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Nextel, and Virgin Mobile. Minor carriers: Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), Appalachian Wireless (EKN), Bluegrass Cellular, CellularOne of East Central IL (ECIT), Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania, Cincinnati Bell Wireless, Cricket, Coral Wireless(Mobi PCS), COX, Cross, Element Mobile (Flat Wireless), EpicTouch (Elkhart Telephone), GCI, Golden State, Hawkeye (ChatMobility), Hawkeye (NW Missouri), Illinois Valley Cellular, Inland Cellular, iWireless (Iowa Wireless), Keystone Wireless(Immix Wireless/PC Man), Mosaic (Consolidated or CTC Telecom),Nex-Tech Wireless, NTelos, Panhandle Communications, Pioneer, Plateau (Texas RSA 3 Ltd), Revol, RINA, Simmetry (TMP Corporation), Thumb Cellular, Union Wireless, United Wireless, Viaero Wireless, and West Central (WCC or 5 Star Wireless).***Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages***.

Mobile Privacy Policy

Social Security Administration (SSA) respects your privacy. We may request personal information (e.g., your mobile phone number) from you to administer mobile messaging services. When we request personal information from you that we will maintain in our systems of records, we will describe our authority to collect the information, the principal purpose(s) for which we will use the information, how we may use the information, and any effect of you not providing the information. Subscribing or consenting to the text messaging categories listed above is voluntary. However, failure to consent or provide information necessary to subscribe will prevent us from sending you text messages. We will retain and dispose of any information collected to enroll in text messaging in accordance with federal records laws and applicable federal records schedules. We will only send you text messages for the SSA message categories to which you have subscribed (by providing your phone number and corresponding consent).

We may share personal information we collect about you with our employees and contractors who have a need to know the information within their job duties. We may also disclose your information outside our agency as otherwise authorized by federal law. For instance, in a government-wide effort to combat security and virus threats, we may share some information we collect for law enforcement purposes. More information about how we share information can be found in our Privacy Act Notices of Systems of Records

Mobile Terms and Conditions

• When you opt-in to the service, we will send you a text welcome message.
• You can cancel the text service at any time. Just text "STOP" to #####. After you send the text message "STOP" to us, we will send you a text message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive text messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending text messages to you again.
• If at any time you forget what keywords are supported, just text "HELP" to #####. After you send the SMS message "HELP" to us, we will respond with instructions on how to use our service as well as how to unsubscribe.
• While this list is subject to change, we are currently able to deliver messages to the following mobile phone carriers: Major carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Nextel, and Virgin Mobile. Minor carriers: Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), Appalachian Wireless (EKN), Bluegrass Cellular, CellularOne of East Central IL (ECIT), Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania, Cincinnati Bell Wireless, Cricket, Coral Wireless(Mobi PCS), COX, Cross, Element Mobile (Flat Wireless), EpicTouch (Elkhart Telephone), GCI, Golden State, Hawkeye (ChatMobility), Hawkeye (NW Missouri), Illinois Valley Cellular, Inland Cellular, iWireless (Iowa Wireless), Keystone Wireless(Immix Wireless/PC Man), Mosaic (Consolidated or CTC Telecom),Nex-Tech Wireless, NTelos, Panhandle Communications, Pioneer, Plateau (Texas RSA 3 Ltd), Revol, RINA, Simmetry (TMPCorporation), Thumb Cellular, Union Wireless, United Wireless, Viaero Wireless, and West Central (WCC or 5 Star Wireless).***Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages***.
• As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.
• If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy mentioned above.