How to Recover Your Username or Password from SSA  

Reviewed May 2026

If you’re locked out of your my Social Security account in 2026 and your old username and password no longer work — that’s not a mistake on your end. As of June 7, 2025, the Social Security Administration retired its old username-and-password login system. Everyone now signs in through one of two credential providers: Login.gov or ID.me. Recovering access takes three steps: identify which provider you used (or pick one), reset that account’s password, then log back in at ssa.gov/myaccount.

Step 1: Figure out which credential provider you’re using

The Social Security Administration uses two outside companies to handle logins. You only need an account with one. To recover access, you first need to know which one — or, if you’ve never set one up, you’ll need to choose.

• Login.gov is the U.S. government’s official sign-in service. It’s used across many federal agencies (IRS, USPS, VA, and others). If you’ve ever applied for a federal benefit online in the last few years, you may already have a Login.gov account.
• ID.me is a private identity-verification company that works with the SSA, IRS, and VA. If you’ve used the IRS website or applied for VA benefits with photo-ID verification, you may already have an ID.me account.

If you’re not sure which one (or neither), you can pick whichever you prefer. Both work the same way for SSA purposes.

Step 2: Recover or create your credential account

If you used Login.gov

1. Go to login.gov
2. Click Sign in in the top right
3. Enter your email address. If you’ve forgotten your password, click Forgot your password? and follow the prompts.
4. Login.gov will send a reset link to your email.
5. If you don’t remember which email you used, you’ll need to call Login.gov support: 1-844-875-6446 (Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm ET).

If you used ID.me

1. Go to id.me and click Sign in
2. Enter your email address. Click Forgot password? if needed.
3. ID.me will email you a reset link.
4. If you can’t remember which email you used, contact ID.me support through their Help Center at help.id.me. They offer chat, email, and video-call support.

If you’ve never had either account

You’ll need to create one. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click Sign in or create an account. You’ll be given the choice between Login.gov and ID.me. Either works. You’ll need:

• A valid email address
• Your Social Security number
• A way to verify your identity (state ID or driver’s license, plus a phone or webcam)

The whole process takes 10–20 minutes if your records match cleanly. Be patient — the identity verification step is intentionally strict to protect against fraud.

Step 3: Sign back in at ssa.gov

Once your Login.gov or ID.me account is working again, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click Sign in. You’ll be prompted to choose Login.gov or ID.me. Sign in with your credential, and you’ll land back in your my Social Security account with your benefits information, claim status, and earnings record.

Common scenarios

“I had an account before 2025 — where did it go?”

If you created a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, and haven’t signed in since then, your old credentials are gone. You’ll need to create a new Login.gov or ID.me account. Once you sign in for the first time using one of those, your historical SSA data (earnings record, benefit estimates, application status) will be linked to your new login automatically.

“I get a verification error during ID.me setup”

ID.me’s identity proofing matches the information you enter against credit bureau records and government databases. Common reasons it fails:

• Recent address change not yet on your credit report
• Name spelled differently on your ID versus your SSA records (married name, hyphenation)
• Frozen credit (you may need to temporarily lift the freeze with one of the credit bureaus)

If self-service verification fails twice, ID.me offers a video call option where a live agent verifies your documents on camera. This usually resolves stuck cases.

“I can’t remember my email or get into my old email”

If you’ve lost access to the email address tied to your Login.gov or ID.me account, you’ll need to contact that provider’s support directly — SSA itself can’t recover it for you. Login.gov: 1-844-875-6446. ID.me: through help.id.me.

“I just need to apply for disability — do I really need an online account?”

No. You can apply for Social Security disability by:

• Phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8am–7pm Monday–Friday
• In person at your local Social Security office (appointment required — call to schedule)
• Through a representative. A disability lawyer or representative can file your application and handle communications with SSA on your behalf, including paper forms

Many of our clients never create an online SSA account. The online system is convenient, but it’s not required.

When to ask for help

If you’re trying to manage a Social Security disability claim, the SSA’s online system is just one tool — and not always the most reliable one. Hearing notices, medical record requests, and decision letters still come by mail. Wait times for hearings in Colorado average 12+ months. Many initial applications are denied even when the underlying disability clearly qualifies.

A disability attorney can:

• File your initial application (or your reconsideration / hearing request)
• Gather and submit your medical records
• Communicate with SSA on your behalf
• Represent you at your hearing

Viner Disability Law represents disabled workers across Colorado. We’ve helped clients through every stage of the SSDI and SSI process. Initial consultations are free, and we don’t get paid unless you win your case.

Call (720) 515-9012 or contact us online to talk through your situation.