You can change your direct deposit information online, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office

Social Security lets you change your direct deposit account at any time. You do not have to wait for a specific date or give advance notice. The change usually takes effect within one or two business days, though it can take up to a week depending on your bank.

You have three ways to make the change: through your my Social Security account online (the fastest option), by calling Social Security's main number, or by visiting a local office in person. Each method works equally well — the one you choose depends on what you are comfortable with and how quickly you need the change to happen.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your direct deposit information yourself online through my Social Security without calling or visiting an office.
  • The change typically takes one to two business days to show up in your bank account, though some banks take longer to process the update.
  • You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to make the change — both appear on a blank check or your bank statement.
  • If you do not have online access or prefer not to use it, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) during business hours.
  • Visiting a local Social Security office in person is an option if you need to show documents or prefer to handle it face-to-face.

Changing your direct deposit through my Social Security online

The online method is usually the fastest and most straightforward. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with your username and password. If you do not have an account yet, you can create one on the same page — you will need an email address and a phone number.

Once you are signed in, look for a section labeled "Payment Information" or "Direct Deposit." Click on it and select the option to change or update your direct deposit. You will be asked to enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Both of these appear on a blank check from your account (the routing number is on the left side of the bottom line, and your account number is in the middle). You can also find them by logging into your bank's website or calling your bank directly.

After you enter the information, Social Security will ask you to confirm the details. Review everything carefully — a single digit wrong in either number will send your payment to the wrong place. Once you confirm, the change is submitted. You should see a confirmation message on the screen and receive an email confirmation as well.

Changing your direct deposit by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY number 1-800-325-0778. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

When you reach a representative, tell them you want to change your direct deposit information. Have your bank's routing number and account number ready before you call. The representative will ask you to confirm your identity by providing your Social Security number and possibly other personal information. Once they verify who you are, they will update your direct deposit in the system.

Ask the representative to read back the routing number and account number to you before they submit the change. This takes only a few seconds and catches mistakes. The representative will give you a confirmation number — write it down in case you need to follow up later.

Changing your direct deposit in person at a Social Security office

You can visit your local Social Security office to change your direct deposit. Find the nearest office by going to ssa.gov/locator and entering your zip code. Some offices require you to make an appointment first, while others take walk-ins. Call the office before you go to ask about their current process.

Bring a photo ID (a driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and your Social Security card if you have it. You will also need your bank's routing number and account number. The office staff will update your information in the system while you wait, and you will receive a receipt showing the change was made.

What happens after you request the change

Once you submit the change through any of the three methods, Social Security updates its records right away. However, your bank and Social Security's bank may take one to two business days to process the update on their end. Your next payment will go to the new account if the change is processed before the payment is sent out.

If you change your direct deposit in the middle of a month, your current payment may still go to your old account — the timing depends on when Social Security's payment processing happens relative to when you made the change. Your next payment after that should go to the new account. If you are unsure whether a payment went through, you can check your my Social Security account or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about the status of your next payment.

Do not close your old bank account when ready after making the change. Wait at least two or three months to make sure all payments have switched over and no payments are still being sent to the old account. If a payment does arrive in the old account by mistake, contact your bank — they can help you redirect it or return it to Social Security.

If you need to change your direct deposit because of fraud or a lost card

If someone has stolen your bank account information or you suspect fraud, change your direct deposit as soon as possible using one of the three methods above. After you change it, contact your bank directly and report the fraud. Your bank can freeze the old account, reverse unauthorized transactions, and issue you a new card or account number.

If your debit card was lost or stolen, you do not necessarily need to change your direct deposit — you can straightforward report the card lost to your bank and they will issue a replacement. However, if you are concerned about the account itself, changing your direct deposit to a different account is a safer option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my payment to go to the new account?

Usually one to two business days, but it can take up to a week depending on your bank. If you change your direct deposit mid-month, your current payment may still go to your old account — the next payment should go to the new one.

Can I change my direct deposit to a different person's bank account?

No. Your SSDI payment must go to a bank account in your name. If you need someone else to help manage your money, you can set up a representative payee through Social Security instead, but that is a separate process.

What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?

Your payment will go to the wrong bank account. Contact Social Security when ready by phone or through my Social Security to correct it. If the money went to an account you do not control, you will need to work with Social Security and possibly your bank to recover it.

Do I need to notify Social Security if I change banks?

Yes. Even if you keep the same account number at a new bank, the routing number will be different. You must update your direct deposit information with Social Security so your payments go to the correct place.

Can I have my SSDI payment split between two accounts?

No. Social Security only allows one direct deposit account per person. If you want to split your payment, you would need to receive it in one account and then transfer money to a second account yourself.