Where your stimulus check goes if you receive SSDI

If you receive SSDI and have set up direct deposit for your benefits, the Social Security Administration will send any stimulus payment to that same bank account. You do not need to do anything new or fill out a separate form—the SSA uses the direct deposit information you already provided when you enrolled in SSDI.

The timing and amount depend on which stimulus round you are receiving. The SSA processes these payments in batches over several weeks, so you may not see the money arrive on the same day as other recipients. If you have not set up direct deposit, the SSA will mail you a check or load the payment onto a debit card instead.

This process is automatic for people already receiving SSDI. The only reason you would need to take action is if your bank account information has changed since you last updated it with Social Security, or if you have never set up direct deposit and want to switch from a mailed check.

Key Takeaways

  • Stimulus payments go to the same bank account where your regular SSDI deposits arrive, with no action required on your part.
  • If you have not set up direct deposit, you will receive the stimulus as a mailed check or on a debit card, which takes longer to arrive.
  • You can update your bank account information at any time by contacting Social Security or visiting your my Social Security account online.
  • Stimulus payments arrive in batches over several weeks, so the exact date varies depending on when the SSA processes your payment.

Setting up or changing your direct deposit account

To add direct deposit or change the bank account where your SSDI payments go, you have three options. The fastest is to log into your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov and update your banking information yourself—this takes about five minutes and the change usually takes effect within one or two business days.

You can also call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak with a representative who will update your account over the phone. Have your routing number and account number ready when you call. If you prefer to do this in person, visit your local Social Security office with a blank voided check or a letter from your bank showing your account and routing numbers.

Once you have set up direct deposit, any future stimulus payment will go to that account automatically. There is no separate enrollment for stimulus checks—the SSA treats them the same way it treats your regular monthly SSDI payment.

What happens if your bank account information is outdated

If the bank account on file with Social Security is closed or no longer active, the SSA cannot deposit your stimulus payment there. In this case, the payment will be returned and the SSA will attempt to send it by mail as a check instead, which adds several weeks to the process.

To avoid this delay, update your banking information as soon as your account changes. If you closed your bank account and opened a new one, log into my Social Security or call 1-800-772-1213 to provide the new routing and account numbers. If you are unsure whether your information is current, you can check it in your my Social Security account under "Payment Information."

Direct deposit versus check or debit card

Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your stimulus payment. Money typically arrives within one to three business days of when the SSA processes your payment. A mailed check can take two to four weeks to arrive, depending on postal service delays. A debit card issued by the SSA takes about the same time as a check.

Direct deposit also reduces the risk of a lost or stolen payment. Once the money is in your bank account, it is protected by your bank's security measures. A mailed check can be lost in the mail or stolen from your mailbox, and you would then need to contact the SSA to request a replacement.

If you do not have a bank account, you can still receive your stimulus payment. The SSA will send it by check or load it onto a debit card. Some community organizations and nonprofits offer low-cost or no-cost bank accounts specifically for people in this situation—you can ask your local Social Security office for referrals.

Tracking your stimulus payment

The SSA does not send advance notice of when your specific stimulus payment will arrive. However, you can check the status of stimulus payments through the IRS website at irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment, which has a tool that shows whether a payment has been sent and when it was processed.

If you have direct deposit set up, the payment should appear in your bank account within a few business days of the IRS tool showing it as sent. If you are expecting a payment and it does not arrive within a week of the IRS tool showing it was processed, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to verify that your bank account information is correct.

If you receive both SSDI and SSI

Some people receive both SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). If this applies to you, you will receive only one stimulus payment, not two. The payment goes to whichever program is listed as your primary benefit with Social Security, and it will be deposited to the direct deposit account associated with that program.

You can check which program is primary by logging into your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you have separate bank accounts for SSDI and SSI, make sure the account listed for your primary program is the one you want to receive the stimulus payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a stimulus payment affect my SSDI benefits?

No. Stimulus payments are not counted as income for SSDI purposes, so they will not reduce your monthly benefit amount. This is true for all stimulus rounds issued during the pandemic and after.

What if I never received a stimulus payment I was supposed to get?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment to check the status. If the IRS shows the payment was sent but you never received it, you may be able to claim it on your tax return or request a replacement check from the IRS.

Can I change my direct deposit account after a stimulus payment has been sent?

Yes, but the payment that has already been sent will go to the old account. Any future stimulus payments will go to your new account once you update your information with Social Security.

Do I need to report the stimulus payment to Social Security?

No. You do not need to report stimulus payments to Social Security. They are not considered income for benefit purposes and do not need to be disclosed.

What if I do not have a my Social Security account yet?

You can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount in a few minutes using your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number. Once you are logged in, you can update your direct deposit information and check your payment history.