You can change your direct deposit information online, by phone, or by mail

Social Security deposits your SSDI payment into whichever bank account you designated when you started receiving benefits. If you want to change that account—because you switched banks, closed an account, or need to redirect payments to a different person—you have three ways to do it. The fastest is online through your my Social Security account. If you do not have that account set up, you can call Social Security directly or submit a form by mail. The change usually takes effect within one or two payment cycles, though it can take longer if you submit by mail.

You will need your bank's routing number and your new account number before you start. You can find both on a blank check, or call your bank and ask. Have your Social Security number ready no matter which method you use.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through my Social Security is fastest and takes effect within one or two payment cycles.
  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by calling your bank.
  • If you call Social Security, use the number on your Social Security card or in your my Social Security account; wait times are shortest early in the morning on weekdays.
  • Mailed forms take longer to process, so use this method only if you cannot go online or call.
  • If you change your account and the first deposit fails, Social Security will attempt to redeposit the payment within a few business days.

Changing your direct deposit online through my Social Security

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with your username and password. If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one on that same page using your email address, Social Security number, and date of birth. Social Security will send you a verification code by email or text, depending on what you choose.

Once you are signed in, look for a section labeled "Payment Information" or "Direct Deposit." Click on it and select the option to change your bank account. You will see fields for your routing number and account number. Enter both carefully—a mistake here means your payment will not reach the right account. After you submit, you should see a confirmation message on the screen. Write down the date you made the change or take a screenshot, in case you need to reference it later.

The change takes effect on your next scheduled payment date, which is usually within one or two weeks. If your payment does not arrive on time, wait three business days before calling Social Security, because deposits sometimes take longer to clear.

Changing your direct deposit by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number, your bank's routing number, and your new account number ready before you call. The wait time is usually shorter if you call between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on a weekday, and shorter still if you call on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

When a representative answers, tell them you want to change your direct deposit information. They will ask you to confirm your identity by providing your date of birth and possibly other details. Then they will ask for your routing number and account number. Read both numbers slowly and clearly, and ask the representative to repeat them back to you to make sure they are correct. Once they confirm the change, ask them for a confirmation number and write it down.

The change usually takes effect within one or two payment cycles. If you do not see the deposit in your new account by your next scheduled payment date, call back and reference the confirmation number you received.

Changing your direct deposit by mail

If you cannot go online or use the phone, you can submit a change by mail using Form SSA-1199-OP1, titled "Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form." You can read this form from ssa.gov or request a copy by calling 1-800-772-1213. Fill in your Social Security number, your routing number, and your account number. Sign and date the form, then mail it to the Social Security office that handles your case.

You can find the address of your local Social Security office on ssa.gov by entering your zip code. Mail processing takes longer than phone or online changes—expect two to four weeks before the change takes effect. For this reason, use the mail method only if you cannot use the online or phone options.

Keep a copy of the form for your records. If you do not see the deposit in your new account within four weeks of mailing the form, call Social Security and provide them with the date you mailed it.

What happens if your deposit fails

If you change your account and the first deposit to your new account fails—because the account number was wrong, the account was closed, or the bank rejected the deposit for another reason—Social Security will try to redeposit the payment within a few business days. You will not lose the money, but you may see a delay of a week or more before it reaches you.

If the redeposit also fails, Social Security will contact you by mail at the address on file. The letter will explain why the deposit failed and what you need to do next. At that point, you should call Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213 to provide a corrected account number or to arrange an alternative payment method, such as a check.

Changing your direct deposit if you are a representative payee

If someone else manages your SSDI benefits as your representative payee—because you are unable to manage them yourself—that person must make any changes to your direct deposit information. They can do this online, by phone, or by mail using the same methods described above, but they will need to sign in with their own information or provide their own identification when they call.

If you want to change who your representative payee is, or if you believe your payee is misusing your benefits, that is a separate process. Contact Social Security directly to report a concern or to request a change in payee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Online and phone changes usually take effect within one or two payment cycles, which is typically one to two weeks. Mail changes take two to four weeks. Your next scheduled payment date depends on when you were born; Social Security sends payments on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month based on your birth date.

What if I entered the wrong account number?

If you realize the mistake before your next payment, go back online or call Social Security right away to correct it. If the payment has already been sent to the wrong account, Social Security will attempt to redeposit it to the correct account within a few business days. You will not lose the money, but there may be a delay.

Can I change my direct deposit to someone else's account?

No. Your SSDI payment must go to an account in your name or, if you have a representative payee, to an account that the payee controls. Social Security verifies the account holder's name when you submit a change, so mismatched names will cause the deposit to fail.

Do I need to notify my bank before I change my direct deposit with Social Security?

No, you do not need to tell your bank in advance. However, if you are closing an old account, contact your bank to make sure they will not reject the final Social Security deposit if it arrives after the account is closed. Some banks hold closed accounts open for a short time to receive incoming deposits.

What if I do not have a bank account?

If you cannot set up direct deposit, Social Security will send your payment by check instead. Call 1-800-772-1213 to request a check payment option. Checks take longer to arrive than direct deposits and are less find, so direct deposit is preferred if you can arrange it.