How to Change Your Direct Deposit Account for SSDI Payments

Where to Change Your Direct Deposit Information

You can change your direct deposit account through my Social Security, the official Social Security Administration portal at ssa.gov. This is the fastest route and takes about five minutes. You log in with your username and password, navigate to "Manage Your Representative Payee" or "Change Direct Deposit," enter your new bank account details, and submit. The change usually takes effect within one or two pay cycles.

If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — either a driver's license, state ID, or passport. The verification step can happen when ready online or by mail, depending on which documents you have available.

You can also change your direct deposit by phone. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak to a representative. Have your new bank account number and routing number ready. The representative will update your information in the system, though the change may take slightly longer to process than through my Social Security.

Key Takeaways

You can change your direct deposit through my Social Security online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
Online changes through my Social Security usually take effect within one or two pay cycles; phone and in-person changes may take longer.
You will need your new bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a blank check or by calling your bank.
If you are a representative payee, you cannot change the direct deposit account yourself — only the payee can make that change.
Social Security will not charge you to change your direct deposit, and the change is free.

What Information You Need Before You Start

Gather your new bank account details before you log in or call. 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 deposited). Both appear on the bottom left of a blank check. If you do not have checks, call your bank directly and ask for the routing number and account number — most banks can provide this in under a minute.

You should also have your Social Security number and the phone number or email address associated with your my Social Security account, if you have one. If you are changing the account because your old bank closed or you lost access to it, have the name and address of your new bank ready as well.

Changing Direct Deposit Online Through My Social Security

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in. Once you are logged in, look for a section labeled "Manage Your Benefits" or "Payment Information." Click on the option to change your direct deposit or banking information. You will see a form asking for your new routing number and account number. Enter both carefully — a single digit wrong will cause your payment to be sent to the wrong account.

After you enter the information, review it on the confirmation screen to make sure everything is correct. Then submit. You will see a message confirming that your request has been received. Social Security will process the change and your next payment should go to the new account within one or two pay cycles. SSDI payments are typically issued on the third of each month, so the timing of your change affects when the new account receives its first deposit.

Changing Direct Deposit by Phone or In Person

Call 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Have your routing number and account number ready. Tell the representative you want to change your direct deposit. They will ask you to confirm your Social Security number and may ask a security question to verify your identity. Then they will enter your new banking information into the system.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the office nearest you at ssa.gov/locator. Bring a photo ID and your new bank's routing number and account number. A representative will update your direct deposit information while you wait. In-person changes sometimes process faster than phone changes, though there is no may provide.

How Long the Change Takes and When Your First Payment Arrives

Changes made through my Social Security usually take effect within one or two pay cycles. Since SSDI payments are issued on the third of each month, if you change your direct deposit on the first of the month, your payment on the third will likely still go to your old account. Your next payment, on the third of the following month, should arrive in your new account.

Changes made by phone or in person may take three to five business days to process, which means they could miss the next scheduled payment date. If you are changing your direct deposit because your old account is about to close, contact your old bank and ask them to hold the deposit for you or forward it to your new account. Some banks will do this automatically if you set up an account transfer.

What to Do If Your Payment Goes to the Wrong Account

If your payment arrives in your old account after you changed your direct deposit, or if it goes to the wrong new account, contact Social Security when ready. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain what happened. Social Security can sometimes reverse the deposit and send it to the correct account, but this works best if you catch the error within a few days.

If the payment has already been deposited and you cannot access that account, ask your old bank to return the funds to Social Security. Provide the bank with Social Security's routing number and account information, which you can get by calling Social Security. This process can take two to four weeks, so do not rely on it as your only option — contact Social Security first.

If You Are a Representative Payee

If someone else manages your SSDI payments as your representative payee, you cannot change the direct deposit account yourself. Only the payee can make that change. If you want to change the account, ask your payee to contact Social Security or log into my Social Security using their own credentials.

If you believe your payee is misusing your funds or you want to change who your payee is, you can report this to Social Security. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak to someone about your representative payee arrangement. Social Security can investigate and, if necessary, remove your current payee and appoint a new one or end the payee arrangement altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a direct deposit change to show up?

Changes made through my Social Security usually take effect within one or two pay cycles. Since SSDI pays on the third of each month, if you change your direct deposit early in the month, your payment that month will likely still go to your old account. Your next month's payment should arrive in the new account.

What if I enter the wrong account number?

If you realize you made a mistake before your payment is sent, log back into my Social Security or call 1-800-772-1213 and correct it when ready. If the payment has already been deposited into the wrong account, contact Social Security right away. They may be able to reverse it, but this works best if you catch the error within a few days.

Can I change my direct deposit to a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. Social Security will deposit to any account — checking, savings, or money market — as long as you provide the correct routing number and account number. Make sure your bank allows direct deposits to that account type, since some savings accounts have restrictions.

Do I need to notify Social Security if I close my old bank account?

You should change your direct deposit before you close your old account. If you close the account and Social Security tries to deposit your payment there, the bank will reject it and it may take weeks to sort out. Change your direct deposit first, wait for one payment to arrive in the new account to confirm it worked, then close the old account.

Is there a fee to change my direct deposit?

No. Social Security does not charge you to change your direct deposit information. If someone tells you there is a fee, they are not representing Social Security.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.