Social Security payment suddenly missing after phone change - locked out of my account!

Happened to me in February! I got a new phone and number, forgot to update SSA, and then my payment was delayed. Turns out they were trying to verify something with me but couldn't reach me. Check your mail too - they probably sent letters if they can't reach you by phone.

This is a fairly common issue, and there are a few possible explanations for your missing payment: 1. Security suspension - When SSA can't reach you for verification and you can't access your online account, they sometimes temporarily suspend payments 2. Banking change flag - Any recent activity with your bank account could trigger a verification hold 3. Annual review issue - If you recently had an annual review and there was missing information Regarding your locked account: The phone number change is definitely the culprit. MySocialSecurity has stricter security than login.gov alone. You'll need to either visit your local office in person with ID or call the national number (800-772-1213) and verify your identity to regain access. Don't panic about the missing payment. Once they verify your identity, they'll release any held funds. Make sure to have your ID, SSN, and banking information ready when you contact them.

I switched phones last year and got LOCKED OUT FOR SIX WEEKS!!! SSA security is ridiculous - they act like we're trying to hack the Pentagon! I ended up having to go IN PERSON to my local office with 3 forms of ID just to prove I was me. And still took them another week to "process" my identity verification. Meanwhile my car payment bounced. THANKS SSA!! The worst part is you can update your address online but not your PHONE NUMBER?? Make it make sense!!

have u called the 800 number? thats what i had to do when something similar happened to me. but be warned i sat on hold for 2.5 hrs before talking to anyone!!

After dealing with the same nightmare last year (missing payment + account lockout), I discovered a service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an SSA agent in under 10 minutes. It was a lifesaver when my disability payment didn't show up and I couldn't access my account. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU They basically navigate the phone system for you and hold your place in line, then call you when an agent is about to pick up. Worked perfectly when I was desperate to talk to someone about my payment situation. Just mentioning it since you said you're dreading spending hours on the phone. Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out.

my mom had this happen 2 her!! it was bcuz she had a fraud alert on her account. they tried 2 call her but had wrong # then just stopped her payments without any other attempt 2 contact. so anoying!!

I wonder if this is related to the new security measures SSA implemented in March? There was a memo about enhanced verification procedures for online accounts after they detected some fraud attempts. If that's what triggered the issue, you'll likely need to complete an additional verification step. For what it's worth, when you do reach them, make sure to ask them to update ALL your contact methods at once - phone, email, address, and preferred contact method. I'd also recommend setting up direct deposit again even if you think it's already set up. Sometimes these systems don't communicate properly between departments. One last thing - request an official payment trace if they don't immediately know where your payment is. Don't let them just tell you to "wait and see." A trace puts it officially in their system.

UPDATE: I just spent 45 minutes with SSA on the phone about MY missing payment (different situation but similar). Turns out there was a "processing error" affecting "some recipients" this month! The agent wouldn't tell me how many people are affected but said it should be resolved within 5-7 business days with no action needed from us. Might be worth asking if your case is part of this when you call!

Did you check that your direct deposit info is still correct? Sometimes banks update routing numbers or there are mergers that mess everything up... don't ask me how I know this 😣

Quick update based on what others have shared: There IS currently a processing issue affecting some direct deposits this month, per the SSA operations notice released yesterday. However, account lockouts due to phone number changes are a separate issue. When you speak with SSA, ask specifically about both: 1. The May 2025 direct deposit processing delay (reference notice AM-25411) 2. Your account access issue related to phone number change These will likely need to be handled by different departments, so be prepared to possibly speak with more than one person. If they try to only address one issue, politely insist on resolving both before ending the call.