The official Social Security website is ssa.gov, run by the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration maintains one website for all public information and services: ssa.gov. This is the only official government site for Social Security. Any other website claiming to offer Social Security services or information is not run by the government, even if it looks similar or has a similar name.

ssa.gov lets you check your earnings record, see your estimated benefits, create an account, and handle some transactions without visiting an office. The site also explains how Social Security works, who can receive benefits, and what documents you need for different situations.

Social Security also runs a phone line at 1-800-772-1213 for questions that are not answered on the website. You can reach them Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Key Takeaways

  • ssa.gov is the only official Social Security website; scams often use similar-looking domain names to trick people into giving personal information.
  • You can create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov to view your earnings history, check your estimated retirement or disability benefits, and manage some claims online.
  • The phone line 1-800-772-1213 answers questions about benefits, may be able to access, and the claims process during business hours Monday through Friday.
  • Local Social Security offices handle in-person appointments and complex cases; you can find yours through the office locator on ssa.gov.
  • The website includes plain-language guides for retirement, disability, survivor benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), each with step-by-step information about what to expect.

What you can do on ssa.gov without an account

The public pages of ssa.gov do not require a login. You can read about different types of benefits, find out what documents you need, learn how benefits are calculated, and search for your local Social Security office. The site also has a benefits planner tool that shows rough estimates based on your age and expected earnings, though these are not official figures.

You can also download forms on ssa.gov without logging in. Common forms include the application for retirement benefits (Form SSA-1-BK), the application for disability benefits (Form SSA-16), and the application for Supplemental Security Income (Form SSA-8). Downloading a form does not start a claim; you submit it to your local office or mail it to the address listed on the form itself.

Creating and using a my Social Security account

A my Social Security account gives you access to information about your specific record. To create one, go to ssa.gov and look for the "Sign In or Create an Account" button. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. Social Security will ask you security questions to verify your identity before you can access your account.

Once logged in, you can view your earnings record (the wages and self-employment income Social Security has on file for you), see your estimated retirement benefit at different ages, check the status of a claim you have already filed, and change your address or phone number. You can also request a replacement Social Security card through your account in most states.

If you cannot remember your password or lose access to your account, you can reset it on the login page. Social Security will send a link to your email address. If you no longer have access to the email you used to create the account, you will need to call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office to regain access.

Finding your local Social Security office

ssa.gov has an office locator tool that shows the address, phone number, and hours of your nearest Social Security office. Search by city or ZIP code. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, though some have limited hours on certain days. Many offices now require appointments rather than walk-ins, so call ahead or check the office page before you go.

You can make an appointment online through ssa.gov or by calling the office directly. If you need an in-person appointment for a complex situation — such as a disability appeal, a case involving non-citizen family members, or a problem with your account — the local office is where you will handle it. Some offices also offer video appointments if you cannot travel.

Spotting fake Social Security websites and scams

Scammers create websites that look almost identical to ssa.gov to steal personal information. The real website is always ssa.gov with no hyphens, no extra words, and no different spelling. If you are unsure whether a site is real, type ssa.gov directly into your browser instead of clicking a link from an email or search result.

Social Security will never contact you by email, text, or phone to ask for your password, Social Security number, or bank account information. If you receive a message claiming to be from Social Security asking for personal details, it is a scam. Do not click links or download attachments from these messages. You can report them to the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.

Legitimate Social Security communications come by mail to your address on file, or you initiate contact by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting ssa.gov yourself. If you think your Social Security account has been compromised, change your password immediately and call the office to report it.

Information available for different benefit types

ssa.gov organizes information by benefit type. The Retirement Benefits section explains how much you can earn while receiving benefits, how to file, and what your benefit amount depends on. The Disability Benefits section covers Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the medical and work requirements. The Survivors Benefits section explains what family members can receive if you die.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has its own section because the rules are different from other benefits — it is based on financial need rather than work history, and the income and resource limits are strict. The site also has information about Medicare, which is tied to Social Security benefits, and about Representative Payee arrangements if someone else manages your benefits.

Getting help if you cannot use the website

If you do not have internet access or cannot use a computer, call 1-800-772-1213. A representative can answer questions about benefits, help you file a claim over the phone, or schedule an in-person appointment at your local office. You can also visit an office in person without an appointment in most cases, though wait times may be long.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, Social Security provides a TTY number: 1-800-325-0778. If you speak a language other than English, interpreters are available at local offices and over the phone — tell the representative your language when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ssa.gov the only official Social Security website?

Yes. The Social Security Administration runs only ssa.gov. Any other website offering Social Security services is not official, even if it has a similar name or appearance. Always type ssa.gov directly into your browser or call 1-800-772-1213 if you are unsure.

Can I file for benefits entirely online?

You can file for retirement benefits online through your my Social Security account. Disability and SSI claims usually require more documentation and may need an in-person appointment or phone interview. Start your claim on ssa.gov and follow the instructions for your benefit type.

What should I do if I think my Social Security account was hacked?

Change your password immediately. Then call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office to report the breach. Social Security can review your account for unauthorized changes and help you secure it. Check your earnings record and benefit statements for anything that looks wrong.

How long does it take to hear back after I file a claim?

Retirement claims usually take two to four weeks if you file online. Disability claims take much longer — often three to six months or more — because Social Security must review medical evidence. You can check the status of your claim by logging into your my Social Security account.

Can I reach Social Security on weekends or evenings?

The phone line 1-800-772-1213 is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Some local offices have limited evening or Saturday hours; check your office's page on ssa.gov. You can use your my Social Security account to check information or make changes at any time.