Start at the official Social Security sign-in page, select Sign in, and choose the provider that already holds your account: Login.gov or ID.me. The old Social Security username-and-password sign-in no longer works. The Social Security Administration (SSA) made Login.gov and ID.me the only sign-in options on June 7, 2025.
Use the provider’s recovery service for a forgotten password, changed email or phone number, multi-factor authentication (MFA), or identity-proofing problem. Contact SSA when the problem is with your Social Security account itself—for example, electronic access has been blocked, the account needs deactivation, or you need SSA’s phone identity-verification help.
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Start with the sign-in route that matches your account
Open SSA’s my Social Security page by typing the SSA web address yourself or using a saved bookmark. Do not begin with an unexpected email link. Select Sign in, then choose Login.gov or ID.me.
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SSA says existing accounts with either provider can be used. Do not create a second provider account simply because the first sign-in attempt failed; a duplicate can make it harder to identify which email, identity record, and MFA method are connected to your Social Security services.
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The sign-in choice has been different since June 7, 2025. SSA’s FAQ states: “Effective June 7, 2025, Login.gov and ID.me are now the only sign in options to access Social Security online services.” If you are entering an old Social Security username and password, stop and return to the provider-selection screen.
Match the error to the organization that can fix it
Separate the problem into two parts: the identity provider and SSA. This prevents you from waiting on the wrong phone line or repeatedly trying a browser fix for an account lock.
| What is failing | Who normally handles it | Examples of the help you need |
|---|---|---|
| Provider credentials | Login.gov or ID.me | Forgotten password, inaccessible email, changed phone number, MFA code, or identity-proofing issue |
| Social Security account access | SSA | Electronic access blocked or needing unblocking, account deactivation, or SSA phone identity verification for most users |
| Web page behavior | Your browser and device first | Sign-in page will not load correctly, buttons do not respond, or a session loops back to the beginning |
A provider can restore your Login.gov or ID.me identity, but it cannot change an SSA account-level block. SSA can address its own electronic-access status, but it cannot reset a provider password or complete a provider’s identity-proofing process for you.
Recover a Login.gov account
Choose Login.gov only if that is the account you previously used, or if SSA’s instructions direct you to create one. Login.gov is the government sign-in service SSA describes as best for most users in the United States.
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- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
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If the password or email is the obstacle
- From the SSA sign-in page, select Login.gov.
- Use Login.gov’s password, email, or account-recovery help rather than repeatedly guessing credentials.
- Complete any email-confirmation or security steps using the recovery methods already attached to that Login.gov account.
- Return to SSA only after you can sign in to Login.gov successfully, then authorize the connection to your my Social Security account.
Login.gov support is listed by SSA at 844-875-6446. Confirm the current number and hours on SSA’s account-help page before calling, because contact details can change.
What Login.gov setup may require
SSA’s provider comparison lists an email address, a government-issued photo ID, and a phone number for Login.gov setup. A separate SSA MFA FAQ says a phone number is not always required and that alternative authentication methods may be available. Read those statements as two different stages: the comparison describes common sign-up requirements, while the MFA guidance describes possible ways to authenticate after an account is configured. The exact options shown to you depend on your account and provider settings.
Recover an ID.me account
ID.me is another approved sign-in provider for my Social Security. It is used by government agencies and private companies, and SSA directs people with a foreign mailing address to use ID.me.
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- On the SSA sign-in page, select ID.me.
- Use ID.me Help for a forgotten password, an inaccessible email address, a changed phone, MFA trouble, or an identity-proofing failure.
- Follow the recovery or verification instructions shown by ID.me. Do not open a new ID.me identity unless its support instructions tell you to do so; your existing verified identity is the one connected to SSA.
- After ID.me access is restored, return to SSA and complete the sign-in handoff.
What ID.me setup may require
SSA’s comparison says ID.me setup uses an email address, government-issued identification, and a device with a camera. Have the document and camera-capable device available before starting. A camera requirement for identity proofing is different from a requirement to use a particular phone number for every later MFA sign-in.
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- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
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- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
When you lost your phone or do not want to use one
A missing mobile phone does not automatically end access. SSA identifies a security key, a landline, and backup codes as possible MFA alternatives. Availability is provider- and account-specific, so check the methods Login.gov or ID.me actually offers on your sign-in screen or in its help center.
- Security key: A physical FIDO security key may be an option if your provider supports it. Confirm compatibility with your provider before buying any key; SSA does not guarantee that a particular model will work.
- Landline: Some accounts may allow a voice call instead of a text message. The option must appear in your provider’s MFA choices.
- Backup codes: Use a previously generated code if your provider accepts it. Treat unused codes as sensitive credentials and do not share them with anyone claiming to be SSA.
If none of the displayed methods is available, use the provider’s account-recovery process. Calling SSA will not substitute for a provider’s MFA or identity-proofing decision, although SSA may still be able to address a separate SSA account block.
Fix a sign-in page that behaves incorrectly
Browser troubleshooting is appropriate when the page is blank, loops, rejects a button click, or fails before you reach the provider. It will not unlock a blocked account or repair a failed identity check.
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- Close extra SSA, Login.gov, and ID.me tabs so an older session does not conflict with the new one.
- Clear the browser’s cache and cookies, then restart the browser.
- Return to the SSA site by entering the address yourself, select Sign in, and choose your provider again.
- If the problem persists, try the same supported browser on another trusted device or network. Record the exact error wording before contacting support.
Do not delete a provider account or repeatedly submit identity documents merely because clearing cookies did not help. Those actions address different failure types.
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- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
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Contact SSA for an account-level block or other Social Security help
Contact SSA when the provider sign-in works but SSA still denies access, when electronic access has been blocked, when an account must be deactivated, or when you need SSA’s phone identity-verification assistance. SSA says phone identity verification is available for most users, but the representative will determine what can be completed for your situation.
SSA’s general number is 1-800-772-1213; TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. The listed hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Verify the current number, hours, and any holiday changes on SSA’s official contact information before calling. You can also contact a local SSA office when phone support cannot resolve the issue.
Have the following ready:
- Your name and identifying information exactly as shown in SSA records.
- The email address used for Login.gov or ID.me.
- The provider you selected and the last step that succeeded.
- The complete error message, date, and approximate time of the failed attempt.
- Whether you still have access to your registered email, phone, MFA method, and identity documents.
Never give a caller a one-time MFA code unless you initiated the call through a verified SSA or provider number and the representative’s instructions clearly require it. When uncertain, end the call and start again from the official site.
If you have a foreign mailing address
SSA directs customers with foreign mailing addresses to use ID.me. If you cannot complete ID.me account creation, SSA says to contact a local office and that an appointment is required. Plan for the office process rather than trying to bypass the address rule with a second Login.gov account.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
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Use the identity and address information that matches your SSA records. A provider account that was created for a different purpose or with different personal details may not connect correctly to your Social Security services.
Login.gov or ID.me: how to choose
For an existing user, the correct choice is usually the provider already connected to the my Social Security account. For a first-time user, SSA’s guidance supplies these decision points:
| Decision point | Login.gov | ID.me |
|---|---|---|
| SSA’s general U.S. guidance | Described as best for most users in the United States | Approved alternative sign-in provider |
| Common setup items in SSA’s comparison | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and phone number | Email address, government-issued ID, and a camera-capable device |
| Foreign mailing address | SSA does not direct these customers to this route | SSA directs these customers to ID.me |
| Existing account | Reuse an existing Login.gov account when it is connected to SSA | Reuse an existing ID.me account when it is connected to SSA |
The provider comparison is not a promise that every MFA challenge will use a phone. SSA’s separate guidance lists phone-free possibilities, but only the methods offered for your specific account can be used.
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Protect yourself from recovery scams
SSA advises against responding to emails that request personal information and recommends caution with senders that do not end in .gov. Sender lists can change, so use SSA’s current account-security guidance instead of trusting a static list of addresses.
- Start recovery by typing the SSA address yourself or using a bookmark you created earlier.
- Do not click an unexpected “unlock,” “verify,” or “payment” link in an email or text.
- Check the address bar before entering your Social Security number, identity documents, password, or MFA code.
- Do not send identity documents or one-time codes to an unsolicited contact.
- If you suspect phishing, stop the recovery attempt and report it through the current SSA security instructions.
How long setup takes and when to try again
SSA estimates that first-time account creation and identity verification takes 5–20 minutes. This is an SSA estimate for the one-time setup task, from an undated page accessed October 13, 2026, not a guarantee for every person or every identity check.
If you have submitted a recovery request, follow the provider’s stated waiting period rather than creating additional accounts or submitting repeated forms. If the provider confirms that you can sign in but SSA still refuses access, move to SSA’s account-level support. If the page fails before either provider opens, complete the supported-browser steps first.
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