How to update your minor child's direct deposit information
To change where Social Security deposits your child's SSDI payment, you need to contact Social Security directly—either by phone, in person, or through your online account if you have one set up as the representative payee. Social Security does not allow changes to bank account information through third-party websites or by mail. The process takes a few minutes, but you will need your child's Social Security number and the new bank details ready when you call or visit.
As the representative payee (the adult authorized to manage your child's benefits), you have the authority to make this change. Social Security will ask you to verify your identity and your relationship to the child before processing any update.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact Social Security directly by phone, online account, or in person—no other method will update direct deposit information.
- Have your child's Social Security number and the new bank account number, routing number, and account holder name ready before you contact them.
- Social Security's phone line for representative payees is 1-800-772-1213, available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.
- If you manage the account online through my Social Security, you can update direct deposit information yourself without calling.
- Changes typically take one to two business days to process, though the first deposit to a new account may take longer.
Calling Social Security to update direct deposit
The fastest way for most people is to call Social Security's main customer service line at 1-800-772-1213. Tell the representative that you are the representative payee for a minor child and need to update direct deposit information. They will ask for your child's Social Security number and will verify your identity by asking questions about your relationship to the child or your account history.
Have ready: your child's Social Security number, the new bank account number, the routing number for the bank, and the name on the account. The representative will repeat this information back to you to confirm it is correct before saving the change. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.
Social Security's phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you call during a busy time, you may wait 15 to 30 minutes before speaking to someone.
Updating direct deposit through your online account
If you have already created a my Social Security account and set yourself up as the representative payee, you can change the direct deposit information yourself without calling. Log in to your account at ssa.gov, select your child's name from the list of beneficiaries you manage, and look for the "Direct Deposit" or "Payment Information" section.
Click "Change" or "Edit," enter the new bank account number and routing number, and save. The system will show you a confirmation screen with the new information. Write down the confirmation number in case you need to reference it later. Changes made online usually take effect within one to two business days.
If you do not yet have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov. You will need an email address, a phone number, and a way to verify your identity (usually a credit card or bank account). Once your account is set up and linked to your child's benefits, you can update direct deposit information anytime.
Visiting a Social Security office in person
You can also walk into your local Social Security office and ask to update direct deposit information for your child's account. Bring your child's Social Security card (or a document with their number), your own ID, and the new bank account details. Tell the staff member you are the representative payee and need to update where the payment is deposited.
The office will process the change on the spot, and you will receive a receipt showing the new information. This method works well if you prefer to handle things face-to-face or if you do not have phone or internet access. Wait times at local offices vary widely—some have walk-in hours with short waits, while others require you to make an appointment. Call your local office ahead of time to ask about their current hours and whether you need an appointment.
What information Social Security needs from you
Before you contact Social Security, gather these details:
- Your child's full Social Security number
- The new bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies the bank)
- Your child's new account number
- The name on the account (usually your child's name, but confirm with your bank)
- Your own ID to verify you are the representative payee
You can find the routing number on the bottom left of a check from the new account, or by calling the bank directly. If you are unsure about the account number, ask your bank—giving Social Security the wrong number will cause the deposit to fail or go to the wrong place.
How long the change takes to go into effect
Once you submit the new information, Social Security processes it within one to two business days. However, the first deposit to the new account may take longer—sometimes three to five business days—because the bank needs time to set up the incoming transfer.
Your child's next scheduled payment date will not change. If the payment is due on the third of the month and you update the direct deposit on the first, the payment will still arrive on the third, but it will go to the new account instead of the old one. If the change does not go through in time for the next payment, Social Security will deposit it to the old account and you can contact them to have it transferred.
What to do if the deposit fails or goes to the wrong account
If the payment does not arrive in the new account by the expected date, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and confirm that the account information was entered correctly. Ask them to check the status of the deposit. If it went to the old account by mistake, Social Security can sometimes reverse it and send it to the correct account, but this process takes a few days.
If the bank rejects the deposit because the account number is wrong or the account is closed, Social Security will hold the payment and contact you. Check your mail for a letter from Social Security explaining what happened. You will need to provide corrected account information and request that the payment be sent again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my child's direct deposit if I am not the representative payee?
No. Only the representative payee—the adult Social Security has authorized to manage the child's benefits—can change direct deposit information. If someone else is the payee and you need to make a change, you will need to contact that person or work with Social Security to change who the payee is.
What if I want the payment to go to a different person's bank account?
Direct deposit must go to an account in the name of the representative payee or the beneficiary (your child). Social Security will not deposit to an account in someone else's name. If you need the money to go to a different account holder, you will need to contact Social Security about changing the representative payee.
Do I need to tell Social Security if I close the old bank account?
You should update the direct deposit information before closing the old account. If the old account closes and Social Security tries to deposit there, the bank will reject the payment and Social Security will contact you. It is easier to update the information first and then close the account once you confirm the first deposit arrived in the new one.
How do I know if the change went through?
If you called or visited in person, you will receive a confirmation number or receipt showing the new account information. If you made the change online, save the confirmation page or number. When the next payment arrives in the new account, that confirms the change was successful.
What if I made a mistake entering the account number?
Call Social Security right away at 1-800-772-1213 and give them the correct information. If a payment has already been sent to the wrong account, Social Security can sometimes reverse it, but the sooner you catch the error, the better. The bank that received the incorrect deposit may also be able to help return the funds.