Social Security Makes Login.gov Mandatory for Online Users

America’s Social Security Administration is now requiring long-time users of its online system to switch to Login.gov as their authentication mechanism. The requirement applies to users who created online accounts before September of 2021, though users who have an ID.me account are exempted.

SSA began offering online services in 2000, allowing users to apply for benefits, estimate their future benefits, and manage their accounts. In 2021, SSA integrated Login.gov, a secure sign-in service, to enhance the security and ease of accessing these online services.

Login.gov, a product of the General Services Administration (GSA), provides a single sign-on solution for multiple government websites, improving user experience by allowing individuals to use one account to access various federal services securely. And it’s poised to get a security upgrade: This past spring, Hanna Kim was appointed as Login.gov’s new director, with a mandate to run a pilot for a selfie-based identity verification system.

There is also a “NextGen Login.gov Identity Proofing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)” program, through which the General Services Administration selected eight vendors to develop identity verification components including document capture and biometric comparison systems. Socure, a selfie-based biometric identity specialist, recently joined this effort through a partnership with Xcelerate Solutions.

“We’re excited to transition to Login.gov to access our online services, streamlining the process and ease of use for the public across agencies,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley.

SSA says that more than five million online account holders have already made the switch to Login.gov.

Sources: FedScoop, SSA

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July 16, 2024 – by Alex Perala