The mailed notice you received included important steps to finish setting up your online account. Please verify that you completed all the required steps included in the letter.
In some cases, we must send your activation code by mail when we are unable to verify your telephone number. If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say "Help Desk" at the voice prompt.
If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say "Help Desk" at the voice prompt.
While you can still use a username and password to sign in to your personal my Social Security account right now, this option is going away. We have not yet determined when the username/password will be removed. Once this sign-in option goes away, you will be required to have a Login.gov or ID.me account if you want to continue to access your personal my Social Security account and our many convenient online services. We are encouraging customers to transition now rather than waiting.
We strongly encourage you to make the transition now as the username sign-in option will be removed in the future. You will be able to continue using your username until you are required to transition. When the username option is removed you will be required to have or to create a Login.gov or ID.me account to access many of our online services.
If you need to change your my Social Security account email address, please log in to your personal my Social Security account with your username and password. When prompted for the security code, indicate that you no longer have access to that email. Follow the on-screen instructions and request a reset code, which will be sent by U.S. mail to your verified address.
Please close all internet browsers, check your internet connection, and try again.
Customers living outside the U.S. should create an account with ID.me following the instructions on our Service Around the World webpage. Many online services are now accessible overseas with an ID.me account.
Only Login.gov customer support can assist with a backup code: Authentication methods. A backup code is an option for customers who do not have access to a phone. If you select this option, Login.gov will generate a set of ten codes. After you sign in with your username and password, you will be prompted for a code. Each code may be used only once. When the 10th code has been used you will be prompted to download a new list. Treat these codes with the same level of care as you would your password.
Backup codes are the least secure option for two-factor authentication. Backup codes must be printed or written down, which makes them more vulnerable to theft and phishing.
For assistance, visit the Login.gov help center.
The USB security key is an authentication method offered by Login.gov, so we recommend you contact the Login.gov help center for assistance. More information on Login.gov authentication options can be found at Authentication methods.
For assistance with the phone number associated with your Login.gov account, please visit Change the phone number associated with your account.
For all accounts created on or after September 18, 2021, you must contact Login.gov or ID.me to update your contact information. You may contact the Login.gov help center for assistance with Login.gov accounts and the ID.me support center for assistance with ID.me accounts.
For accounts created before September 18, 2021, you can update your contact information in the Security Settings screen of your personal my Social Security account. If you no longer have access to your cell phone number, you may request a reset code online.
In some cases, we or one of our credential service providers may need to obtain additional evidence to verify your identity and protect your personal information.
Each customer is required to create their own unique Login.gov account using a unique email address. You may not share your account or an email address with anyone, including spouses or other family members.
The term "legacy account" refers to a personal my Social Security account created before September 18, 2021, with a username and password. Beginning September 18, 2021, all new my Social Security customers were required to create an account with 1 of our 2 credential service providers, Login.gov or ID.me.
If you create a new Login.gov credential, you will need an activation code to finish transitioning your personal my Social Security account. You only have to do this part once. You are given the option to receive your activation code by mail, text message, or automated phone call. In some cases, we must mail you an activation code because we are unable to verify your phone number. You should receive your activation code in the mail within 10 days. The activation code is valid for 30 days. If you do not activate your account within 30 days, you must request a new activation code. If you are having problems receiving or entering your activation code, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say "Help Desk" at the voice prompt.
A security code is a one-time code that we send to a customer's email or cellphone as part of the two-factor authentication process. We require the customer to enter the one-time security code online every time they attempt to sign in to their secure my Social Security account.
It is possible that multi-factor text messages are blocked on your phone, or you have previously opted out of receiving text messages from Social Security. Please verify with your cellphone provider that text messages from Social Security are allowed. If you have previously opted out of our text messages by replying STOP, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please say "Help Desk" at the voice prompt.
In the future, you will no longer be able to sign in to your my Social Security account with your Social Security username. You will need an account with one of our credential service providers, Login.gov or ID.me. This will simplify your sign-in experience and better align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to our online services.
When you sign in with your Social Security username, you will be presented with an option to transition to Login.gov. If you choose to transition, you will be asked to create or sign in to your existing Login.gov account to complete the process. Watch our 3-minute video to see how to transition your personal my Social Security account.
If you cannot remember or need to reset your Social Security password for your account, visit the sign-in page and select the "Sign in with Social Security Username". From there, select "Forgot Password?" and complete the steps.
Once you have successfully linked your Login.gov account to your Social Security username, you will no longer use your Social Security username to sign in. Instead, you will use Login.gov.
No. If you have a Login.gov or ID.me account, you can use your existing account to access Social Security services.
You can have an account with both Login.gov and ID.me and access your personal my Social Security account with either one.
You may continue to use your Social Security username if you decide not to transition now, but the username option will be removed in the future, and you will be required to have an ID.me or Login.gov account to access many of Social Security's online services. We encourage you to make the transition now.
No. You are all set. Accounts created on and after this date use Login.gov or ID.me.
We sent emails to my Social Security account users telling them about the change. The email contains a link and details for making the transition.
If you are worried about scams, most emails from Social Security come from a ".gov" email address. If an email address does not end in ".gov", you should use caution before opening attachments or clicking on pictures or links in the email. Links to www.ssa.gov - our official website - will always begin with https://www.ssa.gov/ or https://secure.ssa.gov/.
If you are not certain that an email you received came from us, DO NOT respond to the email or click any links in the email message. You can visit www.ssa.gov to access your account. Learn more about how we protect your personal information.