Where to change your direct deposit details

You can update your direct deposit information through my Social Security, the official Social Security online account portal. This is the fastest way to make changes yourself without calling or visiting an office. You log in with your username and password, go to the "Payment" section, and update your bank account details there.

If you don't have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov using your email address and Social Security number. The account takes a few minutes to set up, and you'll need to verify your identity through ID.me, which uses your driver's license or passport.

You can also call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to update your direct deposit over the phone. A representative will ask you to verify your identity and then update your bank information in their system. This usually takes about 10 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update direct deposit through my Social Security online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
  • Changes made online or by phone typically take effect within one to two business days, though some banks may take longer to process the new account.
  • You'll need your new bank account number and routing number ready before you make the change, whether online or by phone.
  • If you change direct deposit and your payment doesn't arrive on the expected date, contact your bank first to confirm they received the routing information correctly.

What information you need before you start

Have your new bank account number and routing number ready. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank; you can find it on the bottom left of any check, or by calling your bank directly. Some banks also display it in their mobile app under account details.

If you're switching to a different bank entirely, make sure your new account is already open and active before you submit the change to Social Security. Social Security will reject the update if the account doesn't exist or if the routing number doesn't match that bank.

You don't need to bring anything in person if you use my Social Security or call by phone. If you visit a Social Security office, bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it, though the office can look up your information if you don't.

How long the change takes to show up

Once you submit a direct deposit change, Social Security processes it within one business day. Your next payment should go to the new account on your regular payment date. If your payment date is the 3rd of the month and you update your direct deposit on the 1st, that payment will go to your new account.

Your bank may take an additional one to three business days to post the deposit once they receive it from Social Security. If you don't see the payment by the day after your expected payment date, contact your bank to confirm they have the correct routing number and account number on file.

If you're worried about a payment going to an old account by mistake, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the change was recorded before your payment date arrives.

What happens if you change your mind

You can change your direct deposit information as many times as you need to. If you update it and then realize you made a mistake, log back into my Social Security or call 1-800-772-1213 to correct it. The same one-business-day processing time applies to corrections.

If a payment has already been sent to the wrong account, you'll need to contact that bank to ask them to return the funds. Social Security cannot recall a payment once it's been deposited. Your bank may charge a fee to reverse the deposit, depending on their policies.

Updating direct deposit at a Social Security office in person

You can walk into any local Social Security office and ask to update your direct deposit. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it. Tell the receptionist you need to update your payment information, and they'll direct you to the right window.

Wait times at Social Security offices vary widely by location and time of day. Offices are typically less busy early in the morning on weekdays. You can find your local office and its hours at ssa.gov/locator, or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about wait times before you go.

The office staff will verify your identity, ask for your new bank account and routing number, and enter the information into their system on the spot. The change takes effect the same way as if you'd done it online or by phone.

Troubleshooting when your payment doesn't arrive

If your payment doesn't show up on the expected date after you've changed your direct deposit, start by checking your bank account to see if it posted under a different name or date than you expected. Some banks display deposits with a slight delay, or Social Security may send the payment with a slightly different reference name than your account shows.

Call your bank's customer service line and give them your account number and the expected payment date. Ask them to search for any incoming deposits from Social Security during the past week. If they find it, ask why it hasn't posted to your account yet.

If your bank has no record of the deposit, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and confirm that your direct deposit change was recorded correctly. A representative can look up your account and tell you whether the payment was sent to the new account or the old one. If it went to the old account by mistake, you may need to contact that bank to retrieve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up direct deposit to more than one account?

No. Social Security only allows one active direct deposit account at a time. If you want to split your payment between two accounts, you would need to set up the direct deposit to one account and then manually transfer part of the payment to the second account yourself each month.

What if I don't have a bank account?

Social Security requires direct deposit for most new beneficiaries. If you don't have a bank account, you can open one at most banks or credit unions with just an ID and a small opening deposit. Some community banks and credit unions offer accounts with no minimum balance. You can also ask Social Security about a Direct Express card, which is a prepaid debit card that receives your payment.

Do I need to tell my bank that I'm receiving SSDI payments?

No. Your bank doesn't need to know the source of your deposits. You only need to provide Social Security with your routing number and account number. Your bank will see the deposit come in from Social Security's processing center, but they don't need any additional information from you.

What if I'm in a representative payee situation?

If someone else manages your SSDI payments as your representative payee, they control the direct deposit account. You cannot change it yourself. The representative payee would need to call Social Security or update it through their own my Social Security account. If you want to change who your representative payee is, contact your local Social Security office.

How do I know if my direct deposit change actually went through?

Log back into my Social Security and check the "Payment" section to see what account is listed. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to confirm the account on file. The safest way to verify is to wait for your next payment and check whether it arrives in the new account on the expected date.