Social Security online account setup requires mailed verification code - any way to complete it 100% online?
I'm trying to help my brother get his MySocialSecurity account set up. He filled out everything online but hit a roadblock when the system said they'd mail him a verification code that would take 2 weeks to arrive! He tried to use Login.gov and ID.me as alternatives, but the system told him he needed an SSA.gov account first, which seems like a crazy loop. I set up my own account years ago when everything could be done online without waiting for mail. Has the process completely changed? Is there ANY way for him to complete the setup 100% online without waiting for this code? He's planning to apply for his retirement benefits soon and wanted to check his earnings record first. Any tricks or workarounds?
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Freya Larsen
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
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Ravi Sharma
•Oh no, I'll make sure to tell my brother to enter the code right away when it arrives. Did you have to completely restart the application process?
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Omar Hassan
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.
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Ravi Sharma
•Thanks for the detailed explanation! That makes sense about the security measures, even if it's inconvenient. He'll try calling the support line tomorrow to see if they can help verify him that way instead of waiting.
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Chloe Taylor
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!
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ShadowHunter
•Ya the credit history thing makes sense. I have barely any credit history and they made me verify by mail too. My mom who has excellent credit got verified instantly. The whole system is terrible.
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Diego Ramirez
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!
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Ravi Sharma
•That's brilliant! I'll tell him to try setting up ID.me separately first. Did you have to do the video verification call with ID.me or was the regular verification enough?
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Diego Ramirez
•I had to do the video call with ID.me where they verify your documents. It takes about 15 minutes but then I was fully verified. When I went back to the SSA site after that, it recognized my ID.me verification and let me in! Much faster than waiting for mail.
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Anastasia Sokolov
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.
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Sean O'Connor
•I've used Claimyr too when I needed to talk to SSA about my SSDI application. It's definitely helpful for getting through to a real person quickly instead of dealing with constant busy signals and disconnects. For account setup specifically, ask to be transferred to the technical support team once you get through - they're the ones who can help with verification issues.
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Ravi Sharma
•Thanks for the suggestion! If the ID.me workaround doesn't work, I'll tell my brother about this option. Getting through to a real person would probably solve this faster than waiting for mail.
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Freya Larsen
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
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ShadowHunter
•I work in IT and honestly the SSA systems are ANCIENT. They're running on COBOL code from the 1980s in some cases. I'm not even joking. The fact that they have online access at all is kind of a miracle lol.
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Omar Hassan
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.
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Ravi Sharma
•Thanks for the follow-up! He tried the ID.me workaround another commenter suggested, and it actually worked! He created and verified his ID.me account first, then went back to SSA and was able to use that for login. No more waiting for a code in the mail!
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