Social Security online account login nightmare - stuck in endless loop despite authorization code
I've been trying to access my MySocialSecurity account for nearly 3 weeks now and I'm at my wit's end. Every time I try to log in, it sends me a text code, I enter it, then it just loops me back to the login page again! I finally took time off work to go to my local SS office in person (waited 2.5 hours!!!) and the rep gave me a special authorization code to fix the problem. I got home, tried to use it, and STILL stuck in the same loop! Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm seriously considering just abandoning my online account altogether, but I need to check my estimated benefits since I'm planning to retire next year. Any suggestions before I completely give up?
44 comments


Katherine Harris
same thing happened to me last month! so frustrating. i tried like 10 different times, different browsers, my phone, everything. kept getting the stupid loop.
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Sophia Clark
•Did you ever get it resolved? Or did you just give up? I'm about ready to throw my computer out the window!
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Madison Allen
This is a known issue with the MySocialSecurity portal that's been happening since they updated their security protocols last quarter. A few things to try: 1. Clear ALL cookies and cache from your browser completely 2. Try using a different browser altogether (Firefox works better than Chrome for the SSA site in my experience) 3. Make sure you're not using any VPN services when accessing the site 4. Try creating a brand new login rather than recovering your old one If those don't work, you need to specifically ask for a "MYSSA portal reset" when you go to the office - the regular authorization codes don't always fix the login loop issue. The rep you spoke with may not have been aware of the distinction.
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Sophia Clark
•Thank you for these detailed suggestions! I've tried clearing cookies but not a complete cache clear. And I didn't know about asking for a specific "MYSSA portal reset" - the rep definitely didn't mention that. I'll try these steps tonight and report back.
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Joshua Wood
the SSA website is absolute garbage!!! been dealing with their stupid website for YEARS and it never gets better. sometimes I can log in fine then next day LOCKED OUT for no reason at all. They dont care about us!!
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Katherine Harris
•i know right?? and try calling them for help - impossible! just sit on hold forever and then get disconnected
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Justin Evans
I work with Social Security issues regularly, and while the authorization codes should work, there's actually a glitch in their system when your account has been flagged for suspicious activity (which can happen for innocuous reasons like logging in from a new location). Here's what often works in this specific scenario: 1. Wait a full 24 hours without attempting to log in at all 2. Use a private/incognito browser window 3. Type the website directly (don't use a bookmark) 4. When you get to the verification code part, wait 30 seconds before entering it This sequence helps reset some of the backend security flags. Also, if you're planning to retire next year, you might want to request a benefit verification letter by mail anyway - it's good to have the official documentation on paper.
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Sophia Clark
•This is really helpful - thank you! I didn't think about the suspicious activity flags. I have been trying multiple times daily, so maybe that's making it worse. I'll try your method with the 24-hour cooling off period and the incognito window. Good point about getting the paper documentation too.
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Emily Parker
I had this exact same problem a few months ago and spent WEEKS trying to fix it. What finally worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to an actual SSA tech support person on the phone. I was skeptical at first, but after trying everything else, I used their service at claimyr.com and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. The agent was able to manually reset something on my account that fixed the loop issue. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Trust me, it's worth it for the time saved alone, especially when dealing with retirement planning timelines.
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Sophia Clark
•I've never heard of this service before. Does it actually work to get through the phone queue? That would be amazing if it does. I'll check out the video - thanks for the suggestion!
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Joshua Wood
•why should we have to pay a service just to talk to the govt agency WE fund with our taxes???? this is exactly what im talking about - the system is BROKEN
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Ezra Collins
hi there! just wanted to say I had a similar issue last year before my disability review. what worked for me was doing it from my phone instead of my computer. not sure why but the mobile site worked when the regular site kept looping me around. might be worth a try?
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Sophia Clark
•Thanks for the suggestion! I actually tried on my phone first, then my laptop, then my work computer... same issue on all of them. It's like my account is cursed! 😫
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Madison Allen
Just to follow up on my earlier comment - if you specifically need to check your estimated benefits quickly while you're working on fixing the account access issue, you can also call the automated SSA line at 1-800-772-1213 and get some basic information without speaking to a representative. The system will ask for your SSN and some verification details, then you can request benefit estimates through the automated prompts.
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Sophia Clark
•That's a great tip! I'll try the automated line today. I really need to make some decisions about my retirement date in the next few weeks, so having access to those benefit estimates is crucial. Thanks again!
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Victoria Scott
I finally managed to get back into my account after dealing with the same problem. What worked for me was weird, but I'll share in case it helps. I created a brand new email address, then called SSA and asked them to update my contact email to the new one. After that, I did the "forgot password" option with the new email, and it finally let me reset everything and get in without the loop! The rep told me sometimes their system gets confused when your email has been used for multiple attempts or password resets.
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Joshua Wood
•imagine having a govt system that "gets confused" about something as basic as EMAIL!!! and they want us to trust them with our retirement!?!?
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Sophia Clark
•That's interesting! I might try this approach too. I've had the same email address linked to my account for years, so maybe there's some weird history causing problems. Thanks for sharing what worked for you!
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Sophia Clark
UPDATE: I tried several of the suggestions here and FINALLY got back into my account! What worked was a combination of things: I waited 24 hours without trying to log in (hardest part!), used an incognito window, and tried at 6:30am when the system might be less busy. When I got my verification code, I waited about 45 seconds before entering it like someone suggested here. The loop is broken! I'm now able to access my account and check my retirement benefit estimates. THANK YOU all for your help - this community saved me from giving up completely!
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Justin Evans
•That's excellent news! I'm glad the waiting period and incognito window worked for you. Now that you're back in, I'd recommend downloading and saving your benefit statements right away, just in case you encounter any issues in the future. Also, this is a good time to verify all your earnings history is correct since that directly impacts your benefit calculations.
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Katherine Harris
•congrats!! gonna try this method myself tomorrow morning
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Aaliyah Reed
Wow, this thread is incredibly helpful! I've been having the exact same login loop issue for about a week now and was getting so frustrated. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions gives me hope that I can actually fix this. I'm definitely going to try the 24-hour waiting period with an incognito browser approach first, and if that doesn't work, I'll look into the MYSSA portal reset option at the local office. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this nightmare - the SSA website really needs some serious improvements! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and solutions.
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NeonNomad
•I'm so glad this thread helped you too! I just went through this exact same frustrating experience last month and felt completely lost until I found advice similar to what's been shared here. The 24-hour waiting period was definitely the hardest part - I kept wanting to "just try one more time" but forcing myself to wait really did seem to make a difference. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're not using any password managers or auto-fill features when you do try again, as sometimes those can interfere with the SSA's security system. Good luck and I hope you get back in soon!
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Carmen Vega
I've been following this thread and wanted to share another potential solution that worked for me when I had a similar issue last year. If you're still having trouble after trying the suggestions here, try accessing the site through the official SSA.gov homepage and navigating to the login page from there, rather than using a direct bookmark or typing the login URL directly. Sometimes their redirect system gets confused when you bypass the main site navigation. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions like ad blockers or privacy tools when attempting to log in - I discovered that my VPN browser extension was causing authentication issues even when the VPN itself was turned off. The SSA system is definitely finicky, but these small details can make a big difference!
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Rajan Walker
•That's a really good point about navigating through the main SSA.gov page instead of using direct bookmarks! I never would have thought of that, but it makes sense that their system might get confused with different entry points. I've definitely been bookmarking the login page to save time, but that could actually be part of my problem. And thanks for the heads up about browser extensions - I do have several privacy-focused extensions running that I hadn't considered might interfere. It's amazing how many little technical details can trip up what should be a simple login process. I'll definitely try your approach of starting fresh from the main homepage with all extensions disabled. Really appreciate you sharing these additional troubleshooting tips!
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Evelyn Kelly
I've been lurking on this forum for a while but had to create an account just to thank everyone for this incredibly helpful thread! I'm dealing with the exact same login loop nightmare - been locked out for over two weeks now and was starting to panic since I need to access my earnings record for a mortgage application. Reading through all these solutions gives me a clear action plan instead of just randomly trying the same failed login attempts over and over. I'm going to start with the 24-hour cooling off period combined with the incognito browser method, and if that doesn't work, I'll head to my local office armed with the knowledge to specifically ask for a "MYSSA portal reset" rather than just a generic authorization code. It's both frustrating and comforting to know this is such a widespread issue - frustrating that the SSA system has these problems, but comforting that there are proven workarounds. Will definitely report back once I (hopefully) get this resolved!
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Arjun Kurti
•Welcome to the forum and glad you decided to join us! Your situation with needing access for a mortgage application adds even more urgency - I totally understand the panic. One thing I'd add to your action plan: if you do end up going to the SSA office, try to go first thing in the morning when they open. The wait times are usually much shorter, and the staff tends to be more patient and helpful earlier in the day. Also, since you need your earnings record specifically, you might want to call that automated line someone mentioned (1-800-772-1213) as a backup plan while you're working on the login issue - sometimes they can mail you a basic earnings statement which might be sufficient for your mortgage lender. Keep us posted on how it goes, and don't hesitate to ask if you run into any other roadblocks!
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Amina Bah
I've been dealing with government website issues for years through my work, and I have to say this thread is one of the most comprehensive troubleshooting guides I've seen for the MySocialSecurity login problems! One additional tip that might help people who are still struggling: if you have multiple devices (phone, tablet, computer), try completely logging out of ANY SSA-related sites on ALL devices first, then clear cookies/cache on all of them before attempting the 24-hour waiting period. Sometimes their system tracks sessions across devices and can get confused if there are multiple partial login attempts from different sources. Also, for those planning retirement soon, consider setting up a my Social Security account for your spouse as well if they don't have one yet - it's much easier to troubleshoot these issues when you're not under time pressure for important financial decisions!
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Zara Shah
•This is such a comprehensive overview - thank you for sharing your professional perspective! The point about logging out from ALL devices before starting the troubleshooting process is brilliant. I bet a lot of people (myself included) don't think about how sessions might be tracked across multiple devices. I've definitely been guilty of trying to log in from my phone while having browser tabs open on my laptop, which could totally confuse their system. And great advice about setting up spousal accounts ahead of time - I hadn't thought about that but you're absolutely right that it's much better to deal with these technical headaches when you're not under deadline pressure for major life decisions. This whole thread has been a masterclass in SSA website troubleshooting!
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James Martinez
This entire thread has been a lifesaver! I've been struggling with the same login loop issue for about 10 days now and was getting ready to just give up on accessing my account online. After reading through everyone's experiences, I realize I've been making several mistakes - I've been trying multiple times per day (probably triggering those suspicious activity flags), using the same bookmarked login page, and I had no idea there was a difference between a regular authorization code and a "MYSSA portal reset." I'm going to try the comprehensive approach: wait 24 hours, clear everything from all my devices, use incognito mode, navigate from the main SSA homepage, and wait before entering the verification code. If that doesn't work, I'll head to the office early morning and ask specifically for the portal reset. It's incredible how much collective wisdom is in this thread - thank you all for turning my frustration into an actual action plan!
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Brooklyn Foley
•I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! It's amazing how much we can learn from each other's experiences with these frustrating technical issues. Your plan sounds solid - the combination approach really does seem to work best based on what everyone has shared. One small addition to your strategy: when you do get back in successfully, I'd recommend immediately updating your contact info and security settings while everything is working, just to make sure your account is as stable as possible going forward. Also, don't forget to download/save copies of any important documents you need right away! Looking forward to hearing your success story soon. We've got quite the support network going here for tackling SSA website nightmares! 😊
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Angel Campbell
This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I've been battling the same MySocialSecurity login loop for about 2 weeks now and was starting to think I was going crazy. Seeing so many people with the exact same issue and, more importantly, actual solutions that have worked, gives me so much hope. I've been making pretty much every mistake mentioned here - trying multiple times daily, using my saved login bookmark, not waiting between verification code entry, and I had no clue about the difference between regular authorization codes and MYSSA portal resets. I'm definitely going to try the full protocol: 24-hour waiting period, incognito browser, navigate from main SSA.gov page, and wait before entering codes. If that fails, I'll head to the office first thing in the morning and specifically ask for a "MYSSA portal reset." Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a comprehensive troubleshooting guide - this community is amazing!
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Christopher Morgan
•Welcome to our little support group for SSA login nightmares! 😄 It's both comforting and frustrating to see how many of us are dealing with this exact same issue. You've got a solid game plan based on everything shared here. One thing I'd add - when you do the 24-hour waiting period, resist the urge to even visit the SSA website at all during that time. I made the mistake of "just checking" if anything had changed and I think that reset my cooling-off period. Also, if you're like me and tend to be impatient with the verification code, set a timer for 45 seconds before entering it - that wait time really does seem to make a difference! Good luck and please let us know how it goes. At this point we should probably start a separate thread just for success stories! 🤞
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Jamal Brown
I just wanted to add my voice to this amazing thread! I've been struggling with the exact same login loop issue for the past week and was getting increasingly frustrated until I found this discussion. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both validating and incredibly helpful - it's clear this is a widespread problem with the MySocialSecurity system, not something we're doing wrong individually. Based on all the great advice here, I'm planning to try the comprehensive approach: 24-hour complete break from the site, then use incognito mode, navigate from the main SSA homepage, and wait before entering verification codes. If that doesn't work, I'll visit my local office early in the day and specifically request a "MYSSA portal reset" rather than just a generic authorization code. What really strikes me about this thread is how much collective problem-solving wisdom has been shared. From technical troubleshooting tips to navigating the bureaucracy more effectively, this community has turned what felt like an impossible situation into a manageable set of solutions to try. Thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences and help fellow members - this is exactly what online communities should be about!
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Ravi Choudhury
•This thread really has become an incredible resource! I'm new to this community but have been dealing with the exact same MySocialSecurity login nightmare for about 5 days now. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been such a relief - I was starting to think there was something fundamentally wrong with my account or that I was missing something obvious. It's both frustrating that this is such a widespread issue with a government system we all depend on, but also reassuring to know there are proven strategies that actually work. I'm definitely going to follow the comprehensive approach that's emerged from everyone's collective wisdom: the 24-hour cooling off period (hardest part!), incognito browsing, starting from the main SSA homepage, and being patient with verification code entry. If that doesn't work, I now know to ask specifically for a "MYSSA portal reset" at the local office. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes dealing with bureaucratic tech issues manageable. Thank you all for sharing your struggles and solutions!
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Ravi Sharma
As someone who works in IT support, I've seen this MySocialSecurity login loop issue become increasingly common over the past year. What many people don't realize is that the SSA's security system has become extremely sensitive to what it perceives as "bot-like" behavior - which unfortunately includes the very human response of repeatedly trying to log in when something isn't working! A few additional technical tips that might help: 1. **Disable browser autofill completely** before attempting login - the SSA system sometimes interprets rapid form completion as automated activity 2. **Use a completely different internet connection** if possible (mobile hotspot vs home wifi) - IP-based flags can persist longer than expected 3. **Try logging in during off-peak hours** (very early morning or late evening) when server load is lower For those dealing with urgent situations like mortgage applications or retirement planning deadlines, I'd also recommend calling your local SSA office ahead of your visit to explain the specific technical issue. Many offices can now schedule appointments specifically for "online account technical issues" which can save hours of waiting time. The fact that this thread has become such a comprehensive troubleshooting guide really highlights how broken the current system is, but I'm impressed by how this community has come together to help each other navigate these frustrating technical barriers!
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Kaylee Cook
•This is incredibly valuable insight from an IT perspective! I had no idea that the SSA system was interpreting repeated login attempts as bot-like behavior - that explains so much about why the "cooling off" period seems to work for people. The tip about disabling browser autofill is brilliant too - I definitely have that enabled and never thought it might be causing issues. I'm also really intrigued by your suggestion about calling ahead to schedule appointments specifically for online account technical issues. That could be a game-changer for people who need to visit the office but want to avoid those brutal 2+ hour wait times. It's frustrating that we need these workarounds for what should be basic functionality, but I really appreciate you sharing your professional expertise to help us navigate this broken system more effectively!
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Grace Lee
This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been locked out of my MySocialSecurity account for almost 3 weeks now and was starting to lose hope. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and solutions has given me a clear roadmap to follow. I had no idea about the distinction between regular authorization codes and "MYSSA portal reset" requests, or that repeated login attempts could trigger bot-detection flags. I've definitely been making most of the mistakes mentioned here - trying multiple times daily, using bookmarked login pages, and not waiting between verification attempts. I'm going to implement the full strategy that's emerged from this community: complete 24-hour break from the site, then try with incognito browser starting from the main SSA.gov homepage with autofill disabled, and wait at least 45 seconds before entering verification codes. If that doesn't work, I'll schedule an early morning office visit and specifically request the MYSSA portal reset. Thank you all for turning what felt like an impossible technical nightmare into a manageable problem with real solutions!
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JaylinCharles
•Welcome to our MySocialSecurity login nightmare support group! 😅 It's amazing how this thread has evolved into such a comprehensive troubleshooting guide. Your 3-week lockout sounds absolutely maddening - I can totally understand the frustration and feeling of losing hope. The good news is that you now have a battle-tested strategy from everyone's collective experiences. I'd definitely recommend printing out or screenshotting the key steps so you don't have to rely on memory when you're going through the process. One thing I'd add to your plan: when you do get back in (fingers crossed!), immediately download copies of any documents you might need and maybe even print them out as backup. After going through all this trouble, having physical copies gives some peace of mind! Also, that tip about scheduling appointments specifically for technical issues could be a real time-saver. Please keep us posted on your progress - at this point we're all invested in each other's success stories! 🤞
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Nick Kravitz
I've been following this thread with great interest as someone who has dealt with similar government website issues in the past. What strikes me most is how this community has essentially created a better troubleshooting resource than the SSA provides on their own website! For anyone still struggling with the login loop, I'd like to add one more potential solution that worked for a colleague of mine: try temporarily disabling two-factor authentication on any other accounts that use the same phone number (like banking apps or email accounts) before attempting the SSA login. Sometimes there can be SMS delivery conflicts when multiple services are sending verification codes to the same number around the same time. Also, I noticed several people mentioned needing access for time-sensitive situations like mortgage applications or retirement planning. If you're in this boat, it might be worth contacting your financial advisor or mortgage lender to see if they have alternative ways to verify your Social Security benefits - sometimes they have access to verification systems that don't require your personal login. This thread really demonstrates the power of community knowledge sharing. You've all created something more helpful than any official tech support guide I've seen!
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Landon Flounder
•That's such a thoughtful addition to this incredible troubleshooting resource! The point about SMS delivery conflicts with other two-factor authentication services is something I never would have considered, but it makes total sense. I do have several banking and email accounts that send verification codes to the same phone number, and there have been times when I've received multiple codes within minutes of each other from different services. I'll definitely try temporarily disabling 2FA on my other accounts before attempting the SSA login again. And thank you for mentioning alternative verification options for time-sensitive financial situations - that's really practical advice that could save people a lot of stress. You're absolutely right that this community has created a better resource than anything official. It's both impressive and a bit sad that we've had to crowdsource solutions to what should be basic government website functionality!
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Yuki Yamamoto
This thread has been absolutely incredible to follow! I've been dealing with the exact same MySocialSecurity login loop for the past 2 weeks and was starting to feel completely defeated. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both validating and incredibly helpful - it's clear this is a systemic issue with their website, not something we're doing wrong. I've been making pretty much every mistake mentioned here: trying multiple times per day, using my bookmarked login page, not waiting before entering verification codes, and I had absolutely no idea there was a difference between regular authorization codes and "MYSSA portal reset" requests. Based on all the fantastic advice shared here, I'm going to try the comprehensive approach that's emerged: complete 24-hour break from the site (going to be the hardest part for someone as impatient as me!), then attempt login using incognito mode, navigate from the main SSA.gov homepage, disable autofill, and wait 45+ seconds before entering verification codes. If that doesn't work, I'll head to my local office first thing in the morning and specifically ask for a "MYSSA portal reset." What really amazes me about this thread is how you've all collectively created a better troubleshooting guide than anything the SSA provides officially. This is exactly what online communities should be - people helping people navigate bureaucratic nightmares with real, tested solutions. Thank you all for turning my frustration into hope and a concrete action plan!
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Mae Bennett
•Welcome to what we've all started calling our "MySocialSecurity login nightmare support group!" 😅 Your experience sounds exactly like what so many of us have been through - that feeling of defeat and wondering if you're doing something fundamentally wrong. The good news is you're definitely not alone, and you now have access to all the collective wisdom this community has shared! Your comprehensive plan sounds perfect based on everything that's worked for others here. The 24-hour waiting period really is the hardest part psychologically (I kept wanting to "just try once more" too), but it seems to be crucial for resetting whatever flags their system sets. One small tip I'd add: when you do the waiting period, maybe set a phone reminder so you're not constantly thinking about it and tempted to check early. Also, having a backup plan ready (like that early morning office visit for the MYSSA portal reset) takes some of the pressure off the first attempt. This thread really has become an amazing resource - way better than any official help documentation! Fingers crossed your plan works, and please keep us posted! 🤞
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Aisha Abdullah
I've been quietly following this thread for a while now and finally decided to jump in because this has become such an incredible resource! I'm currently on day 4 of my own MySocialSecurity login loop nightmare and was feeling pretty hopeless until I found this discussion. What's really struck me is how this community has essentially reverse-engineered solutions to what is clearly a widespread systemic problem with the SSA website. The fact that so many people are experiencing the exact same issue, yet there's no official acknowledgment or clear guidance from SSA themselves, is honestly pretty frustrating. I'm definitely going to try the comprehensive protocol that's emerged here: the 24-hour cooling off period (which will be torture for my impatient personality!), followed by incognito browsing from the main SSA homepage with autofill disabled, and that crucial 45-second wait before entering verification codes. If that doesn't work, I now know to specifically ask for a "MYSSA portal reset" rather than a generic authorization code at my local office. Thank you all for creating what is genuinely the most helpful government website troubleshooting guide I've ever seen. It's amazing how much more effective community knowledge-sharing can be than official support channels. I'll definitely report back with my results!
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