Where to Change Your Direct Deposit Information
You can change your direct deposit account through your my Social Security account online, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. The online method is fastest — you can make the change when ready and see it take effect within one to two pay cycles. If you do not have a my Social Security account, you will need to create one first using your email address and a password.
To change direct deposit online, sign into my Social Security, go to "Manage Benefits," then select "Change Direct Deposit Information." You will enter your new bank routing number and account number. Social Security will verify the account exists before confirming the change. If you prefer not to use the website, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak to a representative who will update your information over the phone.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to handle this in person, visit your local Social Security office with a form of identification and your new bank account details. Bring a blank check or a bank statement showing your routing and account numbers — do not rely on memory for these numbers, as a single digit wrong will send your payment to the wrong account.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your direct deposit through my Social Security online, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office.
- Changes made online take effect within one to two pay cycles, so plan ahead if you are switching banks.
- You will need your new bank's routing number and your account number — get these from a blank check or your bank statement, not from memory.
- If your payment goes to the wrong account by mistake, contact Social Security when ready and they will work with your bank to recover it.
- Social Security verifies that your new account exists before processing the change, so you cannot accidentally send payments to a closed or incorrect account.
What Information You Need Before You Start
Gather your new bank account details before you begin the change. You will need the routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the number of the specific account where you want payments to go). The easiest way to find both is to look at a blank check from your new account — the routing number appears at the bottom left, and your account number is at the bottom center.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to provide your routing and account numbers. Do not guess or write down numbers from memory — a single digit wrong means your SSDI payment will go to the wrong place.
Have your Social Security number ready as well. If you are changing direct deposit through my Social Security online, you will need to sign in with your username and password. If you are calling or visiting an office, a representative may ask for your number to pull up your account.
Timeline for Direct Deposit Changes to Take Effect
A direct deposit change typically takes effect within one to two pay cycles. SSDI payments are issued on the third of each month (or the first business day after if the third falls on a weekend or holiday). If you submit your change early in the month, it may take effect with that month's payment. If you submit it late in the month, it will likely take effect the following month.
Social Security does not process changes on weekends or federal holidays, so if you submit a change on a Friday evening, it will not be processed until the following Monday. If you are switching banks and need to know the exact date your payment will arrive at the new account, contact Social Security after you have submitted the change and ask them to confirm when it will go into effect.
During the transition period, your old account may still receive a payment if the change has not yet processed. Check both accounts for a few weeks after you submit the change. If a payment arrives at your old account after you have switched banks, contact your old bank and ask them to return it, or contact Social Security to report the duplicate payment.
What Happens If You Enter the Wrong Account Number
If you realize you entered the wrong routing number or account number after submitting the change, contact Social Security when ready. Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you made a mistake. They can stop the payment from going to the wrong account if you catch it before the payment is processed — usually within a few days of when you submitted the change.
If your payment has already been sent to the wrong account, Social Security will work with your bank to recover it. This process can take several weeks. In the meantime, you may not receive your payment on the usual date. Contact Social Security to ask whether they can issue a replacement payment while the recovery is underway, or whether you should wait for the original payment to be returned.
To avoid this problem, double-check your routing and account numbers before you submit the change. Read them aloud to yourself or have someone else read them back to you. Verify them against your check or bank statement one more time. A few seconds of checking now saves weeks of trouble later.
Changing Direct Deposit If You Do Not Have a Bank Account
If you do not currently have a bank account, you have two options: open a bank account before you change your direct deposit, or have Social Security send your payment by check instead.
Opening a bank account is usually free and takes about 15 minutes. Most banks require a form of identification (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of your address (a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. Some banks offer accounts specifically for people receiving government benefits, which may have lower fees or no minimum balance. Ask your bank whether they offer this option.
If you prefer not to open a bank account, you can request that Social Security send your payment by check instead. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office and ask to change your payment method from direct deposit to check. Your payment will arrive by mail on the third of each month (or the first business day after). This takes longer than direct deposit and checks can be lost or stolen, so direct deposit is generally safer.
Changing Direct Deposit If You Are Receiving a Representative Payee
If someone else manages your SSDI benefits as your representative payee, they control your direct deposit account. You cannot change it yourself. The representative payee must make the change on your behalf by contacting Social Security.
If you want to change your direct deposit account and you have a representative payee, ask them to make the change. If they refuse or you believe they are misusing your benefits, you can report this to Social Security. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak to someone about concerns with your representative payee. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person.
If you want to remove your representative payee entirely and manage your own benefits, you will need to show Social Security that you are capable of handling your own money. This usually requires a letter from a doctor or a court order. The process can take several months. Contact Social Security to learn what evidence they will need from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my direct deposit more than once?
Yes. You can change your direct deposit as many times as you need to. There is no limit on how often you can update your account information. Each change takes effect within one to two pay cycles.
What if my bank account is closed after I set up direct deposit?
If your bank account is closed, your next SSDI payment will be rejected and returned to Social Security. They will hold the payment and contact you to ask for a new account number. Update your direct deposit information as soon as possible to avoid missing a payment. If you do not respond, Social Security may eventually send your payment by check instead.
Do I need to tell Social Security if I change banks?
Yes. You must update your direct deposit information with Social Security when you switch banks. Your old account will no longer receive payments once the change takes effect. If you do not update it, your payment will be rejected and you will not receive it.
Can I have my SSDI payment split between two accounts?
No. Social Security only allows one direct deposit account per person. You cannot split your payment between multiple accounts. If you want to divide your money between accounts, you will need to do that yourself after the payment arrives.
How do I know if my direct deposit change went through?
If you made the change online through my Social Security, you will see a confirmation message on the screen. If you called or visited an office, ask the representative for a confirmation number. On your next payment date, check your new account to see if the payment arrived. If it did not arrive within two business days of the payment date, contact Social Security to find out what happened.