You can change where Social Security deposits your payment by contacting the Social Security Administration directly

Social Security payments go to a bank account, prepaid card, or Treasury card by default. If you want to switch to a different account — because you changed banks, closed an account, or want to move your money somewhere else — you have three ways to make that change: online through your my Social Security account, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. The fastest route is usually online if you already have a my Social Security account set up.

If you do not have a my Social Security account yet, creating one takes about 10 minutes and you can change your direct deposit when ready after. The entire process, from setting up the account to seeing the change take effect, usually happens within one to three business days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your direct deposit account online through my Social Security, by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local office in person.
  • 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.
  • Changes made online or by phone usually take effect within one to three business days, though some banks process deposits on different schedules.
  • If you are switching to a new bank account because your old one was compromised or closed, contact your bank first to make sure the old account stops receiving deposits.
  • Social Security will not charge you a fee to change your direct deposit, and you do not need to contact your old bank to stop the payments there.

Changing direct deposit online through my Social Security

If you have a my Social Security account, logging in and changing your direct deposit takes about five minutes. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount, sign in with your username and password, and look for the "Payment Information" section on your dashboard. Click "Change Direct Deposit Information" and enter your new bank's routing number and your account number. You will see a preview of your account details — check that the bank name and last four digits of the account number are correct before you confirm.

If you do not have a my Social Security account yet, you can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount by entering your Social Security number, email address, and creating a password. You will need to verify your identity, which Social Security does by asking questions about your credit history or by sending a one-time code to your email or phone. Once your account is verified, you can change your direct deposit right away. The change usually shows up in your bank within one to three business days, though the exact timing depends on your bank's processing schedule.

Changing direct deposit by phone or in person

If you prefer not to use the online portal, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to a representative who will update your direct deposit information over the phone. Have your new bank's routing number and account number ready. The representative will read back the information to confirm it is correct before making the change. Phone lines are typically less busy early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person and ask to change your direct deposit. Bring a photo ID and information about your new bank account. You can find your local office by entering your zip code at ssa.gov/locator. Walk-in hours vary by location, and some offices require you to make an appointment first, so call ahead or check the office's page online before you go.

Finding your bank's routing number and account number

Your bank's routing number and your account number appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. The routing number is the first nine digits, and your account number follows. If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card — and ask for your routing number and account number. You can also log into your bank's website or app and find this information in the account details section.

Make sure you are entering the correct account type. If you are setting up direct deposit to a checking account, use your checking account number. If you are using a savings account, use that account number instead. Social Security will not process a payment to a money market account or a credit card, so if you want your payment to go to one of those, you will need to set up direct deposit to a checking or savings account first and then transfer the money yourself.

What happens to your old account after you change direct deposit

Once you change your direct deposit information with Social Security, future payments will go to your new account. Social Security does not send a notification to your old bank, so if you closed that account or it was compromised, you should contact your old bank directly to let them know the payments are stopping. If Social Security tries to deposit to an account that no longer exists, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to Social Security, which can delay your payment by several days.

If your old account was closed because of fraud or unauthorized activity, tell your bank that you are expecting Social Security deposits to stop arriving. Some banks will hold rejected deposits for a short time before returning them, so calling ahead prevents confusion. You do not need to do anything else — Social Security will not keep trying to deposit to an account that has been closed.

Timing and what to expect after you make the change

Changes made online or by phone usually take effect within one to three business days. Your next Social Security payment will go to your new account on the regular payment date — Social Security does not send extra payments or skip a month because you changed accounts. If you change your direct deposit in the middle of a month, your next payment still goes out on the scheduled date, which is typically the third, fourth, or second Wednesday of the month depending on your birth date.

If you do not see your payment arrive in your new account by the expected date, log back into my Social Security or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the change went through. Sometimes a bank takes longer than one to three days to process the first deposit from a new sender, so if the change was confirmed but the money has not arrived, wait a few more days and check again. If more than a week has passed and the payment has not shown up, contact Social Security to investigate.

Changing direct deposit if you do not have a bank account

If you do not have a traditional bank account, Social Security offers two alternatives: a prepaid card or a Treasury card. A prepaid card is issued by a private company and works like a debit card — you can load money onto it and use it to pay bills or withdraw cash. A Treasury card, also called a Direct Express card, is issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and is designed specifically for federal benefit payments. Both options work the same way as a bank account for direct deposit purposes.

To switch to a prepaid card or Treasury card, you can still use my Social Security, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit a local office. You will need the routing number and account number for the card, which you can find in the card's documentation or by calling the card issuer's customer service line. Some prepaid cards charge monthly fees or fees for certain transactions, so compare your options before you choose one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Changes usually take one to three business days to process. Your next Social Security payment will go to your new account on the regular payment date. If you changed your direct deposit mid-month, you do not get an extra payment — your next payment still arrives on the scheduled date for your birth date.

What if I enter the wrong account number?

If you enter an incorrect account number, Social Security will try to deposit to that account. The bank will reject the deposit because the account number does not match, and the money will be returned to Social Security. This can delay your payment by several days. If this happens, contact Social Security right away to correct the account number and ask them to reissue the payment.

Can I change my direct deposit more than once?

Yes, you can change your direct deposit as many times as you need to. Each change takes one to three business days to process. If you are switching banks frequently, keep in mind that each change can cause a delay, so try to make changes when you know your new account is fully set up and ready to receive deposits.

Do I need to tell my old bank that Social Security payments are stopping?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea if your old account was closed or compromised. Once Social Security starts depositing to your new account, the old account will stop receiving payments. If the old account no longer exists, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to Social Security, which can delay your payment.

What if I do not have internet access to use my Social Security account?

You can change your direct deposit by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting a local Social Security office in person. Both options work just as well as the online method. Have your new bank's routing number and account number ready before you call.