Where to Change Your Direct Deposit Information
You can change your direct deposit account through three routes: online at your my Social Security account, by phone with Social Security, or in person at a local Social Security office. The online method is fastest — changes usually take effect within one or two business days. Phone and in-person changes follow the same timeline.
You do not need to contact your bank. Social Security handles the change on their end, and your bank will stop receiving payments once Social Security stops sending them. If you are switching banks entirely, update your information with Social Security before closing the old account, so you have time to catch any payments that may still be in transit.
If you receive both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a single direct deposit change updates both payments at once. You cannot direct different payments to different accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Online changes through my Social Security take one to two business days and require your Social Security number, username, and password.
- Phone changes go through Social Security's main line at 1-800-772-1213, and you will need your Social Security number and the routing and account numbers of your new bank.
- In-person changes at a local office require a photo ID and proof of the new bank account, such as a blank check or bank statement.
- Changes made before the 10th of the month usually take effect with that month's payment; changes after the 10th typically take effect the following month.
- If you change direct deposit and then do not receive a payment on the expected date, contact Social Security within three days to report the missing payment.
Changing Direct Deposit Online Through My Social Security
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one using your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number where Social Security can reach you if needed. Creating an account takes about 10 minutes.
Once signed in, look for "Change Direct Deposit Information" or a similar option in the account menu — the exact wording varies depending on when your account was created. Click it and you will see your current bank information. Do not edit the existing entry; instead, select the option to add a new account or replace the current one.
Enter your new bank's routing number and your account number. Both appear on a blank check from your new bank, or you can call the bank and ask for them. The routing number is a nine-digit code; the account number is usually 10 to 12 digits. Double-check both before submitting, because an error will send your payment to the wrong account.
After you submit, you will see a confirmation screen. Social Security will also send you an email confirming the change. Keep that email. If your payment does not arrive on schedule, you will need proof that you requested the change.
Changing Direct Deposit by Phone
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Wait times are shortest early in the morning on weekdays. Have your Social Security number ready, plus the routing number and account number of your new bank account.
Tell the representative you want to change your direct deposit. They will ask you to confirm your current address and date of birth, then ask for the new bank information. They may also ask why you are changing accounts — this is routine and does not affect the change. Repeat the routing and account numbers back to the representative to confirm they heard them correctly.
At the end of the call, the representative will give you a confirmation number. Write it down. If your payment does not arrive on the expected date, you will need this number to prove you made the request.
Changing Direct Deposit In Person at a Social Security Office
Bring a photo ID and proof of your new bank account. Proof can be a blank check, a bank statement, a savings account passbook, or a letter from the bank on official letterhead showing your name and account number. You do not need to bring anything else.
Go to your local Social Security office. You can find the address and phone number at ssa.gov/locator. Some offices require you to make an appointment; others take walk-ins. Call ahead to ask whether you need an appointment and what the current wait time is.
Tell the staff member at the desk that you want to change your direct deposit. They will take your ID and bank information, enter it into their system, and give you a receipt showing the change was submitted. Keep the receipt until your next payment arrives.
Timing: When Your Change Takes Effect
Social Security processes direct deposit changes in batches. If you make the change before the 10th of the month, it usually takes effect with that month's payment. If you make it on or after the 10th, it typically takes effect the following month.
Your SSDI payment date depends on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th, you are paid on the second Wednesday of the month. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, you are paid on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st or later, you are paid on the fourth Wednesday. Check your payment schedule at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/mysocialecurity.html.
Even after Social Security confirms the change, your old bank may receive one more payment if it was already in the system before the change took effect. This is normal. Once you are certain no more payments are coming to the old account, you can close it.
What to Do If Your Payment Does Not Arrive
If you changed your direct deposit and your payment does not arrive on the expected date, contact Social Security within three days. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Have your confirmation number or receipt ready.
Social Security can check whether the payment was sent and where it went. If it went to the old account by mistake, they can request that your old bank return it and resend it to the new account — but this process takes time, usually one to two weeks. If the payment was sent to the new account but has not appeared, Social Security can contact your new bank to trace it.
Do not wait more than three days to report a missing payment. After three days, Social Security's ability to locate and recover the payment becomes much harder.
Changing Direct Deposit If You No Longer Have a Bank Account
If you closed your bank account and do not have a new one yet, you can request that Social Security hold your payment temporarily. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to suspend direct deposit. Your next payment will be mailed to you as a check instead. This is a temporary measure — you will need to set up direct deposit again once you open a new account.
Checks take longer to arrive than direct deposits, usually five to seven business days. If you need the money sooner, opening a bank account or getting a prepaid card with a routing number will let you resume direct deposit faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my SSDI payment sent to someone else's bank account?
No. Social Security requires that direct deposit go to an account in your name. If someone else is managing your finances because you are unable to, Social Security may appoint a representative payee, but the account must still be in your name or a joint account where you are listed as the owner.
What if I made a mistake entering my new bank information?
Contact Social Security when ready — do not wait for the payment to fail. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office and request a correction. If you catch the error before the payment is sent, Social Security can update it in time. If the payment has already been sent to the wrong account, Social Security will work with your bank to recover it, but this takes longer.
Do I need to tell my bank that Social Security is sending me payments?
No. Your bank will accept the deposit automatically once it arrives. You do not need to notify them in advance. However, if your bank is new to you, it is a good idea to log into your online account a day or two after your expected payment date to confirm the deposit arrived.
Can I change my direct deposit more than once a month?
Yes, but Social Security processes changes in batches, so multiple changes in a short period may cause delays or confusion. If you need to change your account again, wait until your first change has taken effect and you have received a payment to the new account before requesting another change.
What happens to my direct deposit if I move to a different state?
Your direct deposit continues unchanged. Your bank account location does not matter — Social Security only needs the routing number and account number, which work the same regardless of what state you live in. You do need to update your address with Social Security, but that is separate from your direct deposit information.