This is a comment...I read in one of the FAQ's that a person was unable to establish an online account at SSA.gov. This also happened to me. I tried to reach my local office to try to determine why, and was only able to leave a message and have not heard back. In the meantime, I read elsewhere that if your credit file(s) are locked (as ours are due to endless hacking), the Social Security online system rejects you.
Do you suppose this is a possible explanation for some folks?

Hi,

Yes, and thanks for calling attention to this issue. Here is what Social Security's website has to say on this subject: https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02711.

Best, Jerry