How Chime receives your SSDI payment each month
If you have a Chime account and receive SSDI, Social Security deposits your payment directly into your Chime checking or savings account on the same schedule as any other bank. The payment arrives on the third day of each month if you were born between the 1st and the 10th, the fourth day if you were born between the 11th and the 20th, and the fifth day if you were born between the 21st and the 31st. Chime processes the deposit like any other direct deposit—the money is available to spend or withdraw as soon as it lands.
You do not need to do anything special to receive payments through Chime. Once you have set up direct deposit with Social Security and linked your Chime account information, the payments continue on schedule each month without further action on your part. If your payment does not arrive on the expected day, check your Chime app or contact Chime customer service to confirm the account details are correct.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI payments to Chime accounts arrive on a fixed schedule based on your birth date: the 3rd, 4th, or 5th of each month.
- Direct deposit to Chime works the same way as direct deposit to any other bank—no special setup is required beyond what you do with Social Security.
- Money deposited to your Chime account is available to spend or withdraw when ready once the deposit clears.
- If a payment does not arrive on the expected day, verify your account information with Chime and confirm your direct deposit details with Social Security.
Setting up direct deposit with Social Security
To receive SSDI payments through Chime, you need to tell Social Security your Chime account number and routing number. You can do this online through your my Social Security account, by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local Social Security office in person. Have your Chime debit card or a statement showing your account and routing number ready before you start.
Social Security will ask for your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number. Chime's routing number is 68000013. Once you submit this information, Social Security processes the change and your next payment goes to the Chime account. The first payment to a new account may take an extra month to process, so plan ahead if you are switching banks.
Payment dates based on birth date
Social Security staggered SSDI payment dates to spread the workload across the month. Your payment date depends only on when you were born, not on when you started receiving benefits or how much you receive.
| Birth Date Range | Payment Day of Month |
|---|---|
| 1st through 10th | 3rd |
| 11th through 20th | 4th |
| 21st through 31st | 5th |
If the payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, Social Security deposits the money on the last business day before that date. This means your payment may arrive a day or two earlier than usual. Chime will show the deposit in your account as soon as it is received from Social Security.
What to do if your payment is late or missing
If your SSDI payment does not arrive by the end of the business day on your scheduled payment date, first check your Chime app or online account to confirm the deposit has not already posted. Sometimes deposits take a few hours to show up. If you still do not see the payment after waiting until the next business day, contact Chime customer service to verify that your account is active and that there are no holds or blocks on incoming deposits.
After confirming with Chime that the account is ready to receive deposits, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to check whether the payment was sent. Social Security can tell you the date the payment was issued and to which account. If Social Security shows the payment was sent to the correct Chime account but Chime says it never arrived, ask Social Security to file a trace and request a replacement payment. This process usually takes 10 to 15 business days.
Changing your payment method or account
If you want to switch from Chime to a different bank, or from Chime to a prepaid card or check, you can change your direct deposit information anytime through my Social Security, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. The change takes effect with your next scheduled payment. If you close your Chime account, update your direct deposit information with Social Security before the account closes to avoid having a payment rejected.
If you receive a payment to an account that has been closed, Social Security will attempt to return the funds and may issue a replacement check or redeposit to a new account you provide. Contact Social Security as soon as possible if this happens, because the process can delay your access to that month's payment by several weeks.
Understanding Chime's features with SSDI deposits
Chime offers some features that may be useful if you receive SSDI. Early direct deposit, sometimes called SpotMe, allows you to access your paycheck up to two days before the official payment date if Chime has received the deposit notification from Social Security. This is not may provide and depends on Chime's processing, but many SSDI recipients find it helpful for planning.
Chime also does not charge overdraft fees, which means if you spend more than your balance, you will not face the penalty fees that traditional banks charge. However, Chime will still decline transactions that would overdraw your account beyond a certain limit. Review Chime's current terms to understand what protections and limits explore to your account, as these can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my SSDI payment before the 3rd, 4th, or 5th of the month?
Chime's early direct deposit feature may make the payment available one or two days before your official payment date, but this is not may provide. Social Security's official payment date is based on your birth date and does not change. If you need the money sooner, contact Chime to ask whether early direct deposit is available on your account.
What if I was born on the 31st—which payment date do I get?
If you were born on the 31st, your payment date is the 5th of the month. Social Security groups all birth dates from the 21st through the 31st into the same payment cycle.
Do I need to do anything each month to receive my payment?
No. Once direct deposit is set up, your SSDI payment arrives automatically each month on your scheduled date. You do not need to request it, confirm it, or take any action. The payment continues until Social Security notifies you of a change to your benefits.
What happens if a holiday falls on my payment date?
Social Security deposits the payment on the last business day before the holiday. For example, if your payment date is the 4th and the 4th is a Saturday, the payment arrives on Friday the 3rd. Chime processes the deposit as soon as it is received.
Can I split my SSDI payment between Chime and another bank?
No. Social Security allows only one direct deposit account per person. Your entire SSDI payment goes to whichever account you have on file. If you want to move money between accounts, you can transfer it yourself after the deposit arrives.