Social Security online account setup requires mailed verification code - any way to complete it 100% online?

same thing happend to me last month!! so frustrating. i think they changed everything after all those identity theft problems. waited 10 days for the stupid letter then had to start over cause i waited too long to enter the code. SSA making everything harder as usual

Unfortunately, the verification by mail is now required for many users as part of SSA's enhanced security measures. The system determines which verification method is needed based on your brother's specific information and credit profile. Some people still qualify for complete online verification, but many now require the mailed code. A few suggestions: 1. He could try calling the SSA tech support line at 1-800-772-1213 to see if they can verify him over the phone 2. If he has an immediate need to see his earnings record, he could visit a local SSA office with proper ID 3. Make sure he's attempting verification from a device and IP address that wouldn't trigger security concerns But in many cases, waiting for the code is unavoidable with the current system.

I went through this exact thing in January. They're VERY strict about online verification now. I think it depends on your credit history too - my husband could do his 100% online but I had to wait for a code. So annoying!

Your brother might be able to use ID.me directly! I had this exact issue and found a workaround. Instead of trying to start with SSA, go to ID.me first and create an account there. Get fully verified through their system with the video call option. THEN go back to SSA and try to login with ID.me. It worked for me when I was getting that same circular error message. Worth a shot!

I tried for WEEKS to get my SSA account. Kept getting errors or timeouts. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual SSA agent who helped me set up my account over the phone. Saved me a ton of headache! I watched their video at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU and it was super easy. The rep could verify my identity over the phone and bypassed the whole mail verification thing.

why does SSA make everything so complicated??? my neighbor said she just gave up and went to the local office instead. but then she had to wait like 3 hours!!! they really need to fix there system its 2025 for goodness sake

Just to follow up on this thread: The verification process varies depending on a few factors: 1. For highest security, some users must verify by mail (especially new users with limited credit history) 2. Some users can fully verify online if they have robust credit files that can be matched against questions 3. Login.gov and ID.me integration is still being rolled out, which is why some users encounter the circular reference issue If your brother is planning to apply for retirement benefits soon, he might want to consider just scheduling an in-person appointment at his local office. They can help with both the account setup and starting his application in one visit.

I'm glad to hear your brother was able to get his account set up using the ID.me workaround! That's exactly the kind of practical solution that helps people navigate these frustrating system issues. For anyone else reading this thread who might be stuck in the same situation, here's what seems to work based on the experiences shared: 1. Try the ID.me route first - create and fully verify your ID.me account independently, then use it to access SSA 2. If that doesn't work, call the SSA tech support line at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for help with verification 3. As a last resort, schedule an in-person appointment at your local SSA office It's really helpful when people come back and update the thread with what actually worked for them. Thanks for sharing the successful outcome - it'll definitely help other community members who find this thread later!

I've been helping elderly family members with SSA account setup for years and can confirm the process has definitely gotten more restrictive. The ID.me workaround mentioned by @Diego Ramirez is solid - I've used it successfully for 3 different relatives now. One tip: when doing the ID.me video verification, make sure you have good lighting and your documents are clear. They're pretty picky about photo quality. Also, if your brother is close to retirement age, he might want to create his account sooner rather than later since processing times for everything SSA-related seem to be getting longer. The earnings record check is definitely worth doing before applying - I found several errors on my dad's record that we had to get corrected first.

I've been through this exact situation with multiple family members over the past year, and the security requirements have definitely tightened up significantly. The ID.me workaround that @Diego Ramirez mentioned is absolutely the way to go - I've had success with it for 4 different relatives now. One additional tip: if your brother runs into any issues with the ID.me video verification (sometimes they get backed up), you can also try Login.gov as an alternative. The process is similar - create and verify the account independently first, then link it to SSA. Both platforms now have pretty robust verification processes that SSA accepts. Also, since he's planning to apply for retirement benefits soon, I'd strongly recommend he request a copy of his Social Security Statement (Form SSA-7004) once he gets his account set up. This will show his complete earnings history and projected benefits. I found errors on 2 out of 5 family members' records that had to be corrected before applying - it's much easier to fix these issues before you're in the middle of the application process. The system is definitely more complicated than it used to be, but these workarounds do work!