SSA's Public Credentialing and Authentication Process

The Social Security Administration's citizen authentication process enables a new user experience and access to more electronic services. Authentication is the foundation for secure, online transactions. Identity authentication is the process of determining, with confidence, that someone is who he or she claims to be during a remote, automated session. It comprises three distinct factors: something you know, something you have, and something you are. Single-factor authentication uses one of the factors, and multi-factor authentication uses two or more of the factors. Social Security's process features credential issuance, account management, and single- and multi-factor authentication. We allow our users to maintain one User ID, which consists of a self-selected Username and Password, to access multiple Social Security electronic services. This process provides the means for authenticating users of Social Security's sensitive electronic services and streamlines access to those services. The respondents are individuals who choose to use the Internet or Automated Telephone Response System to conduct business with SSA. This is an IT Mod Change Request to finally remove the eAccess option for credentialing from the SSA website. As per our previous change, requiring all new users to register a credential with Login.gov or ID.me, and our more recent approved request to remind current eAccess credential holders that we also need them to register through Login.gov or ID.me, we are finally in the last phase - the removal of the eAccess credential option. All respondents will be able to register or request access to their mySocial Security accounts through either Login.gov or ID.me.

The latest form for SSA's Public Credentialing and Authentication Process expires 2027-02-28 and is listed under ICR 202505-0960-004.

Intranet Registration (RCS)

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Income Security - General Retirement and Disability