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

The fastest way to change where your Social Security payment goes is through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You can update your bank details yourself in minutes without calling or visiting an office. If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time, or mail a signed form to your local Social Security office.

Direct deposit changes usually take effect within one to three business days, though some banks may take longer to process the first deposit. If you are changing banks because your old account is closing, contact your new bank first to confirm your account number and routing number are correct before you submit the change to Social Security.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your direct deposit through your my Social Security account online without calling or visiting an office.
  • You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to complete the change.
  • Direct deposit changes typically take one to three business days to process, so plan ahead if your old account is closing.
  • If you do not have an online account, call 1-800-772-1213 or mail Form SSA-1199-OP4 to your local Social Security office.
  • Social Security will not send you a confirmation letter when you change your direct deposit online, but your my Social Security account will show the new bank details.

Changing your direct deposit through my Social Security online

Log in to your my Social Security account at ssa.gov using your username, password, and a one-time code sent to your email or phone. If you do not have an account, you can create one on the same page by clicking "Create an account" and following the steps to verify your identity.

Once you are logged in, click "Manage your benefits" and then select "Change direct deposit information." Enter your new bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number. Double-check both numbers against a blank check or your bank statement before you submit. Click "Submit" and the change will be saved when ready.

Your new direct deposit will start with your next scheduled payment. Social Security does not send a confirmation email or letter when you change your information online, so take a screenshot or note the date you made the change in case you need to verify it later.

Changing your direct deposit by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have your bank's routing number and your account number ready before you call. A representative will ask you to confirm your identity by answering questions about your Social Security record, then will update your direct deposit information in the system.

The representative will read back the new bank details to you before ending the call. Ask them to note in your file that you requested the change, and request a confirmation number for your records. The change will take effect within one to three business days.

Changing your direct deposit by mail

read or request Form SSA-1199-OP4 (Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form) from ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Fill in your bank's routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). Sign and date the form, then mail it to your local Social Security office.

You can find your local office address on the Social Security website by entering your zip code. Mail takes longer than online or phone changes — expect one to two weeks for processing after your office receives the form. Keep a copy of the signed form for your records.

What information you need before you start

Your bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank. You can find it on a blank check (it is the first set of numbers in the bottom left corner), on your bank's website, or by calling your bank's customer service line.

Your account number is the unique number for your specific checking or savings account. It appears on your checks, bank statements, and in your online banking portal. Make sure you enter the correct account number — if you transpose digits, your payment will go to the wrong account and you will have to contact Social Security again to fix it.

Confirm the account type: Social Security needs to know whether you are using a checking account or a savings account. This information is usually printed on your checks or visible in your bank's online system.

What happens if you enter the wrong bank information

If you realize you made a mistake after you submitted the change, contact Social Security right away through your my Social Security account, by phone, or by mail. The sooner you report the error, the sooner they can correct it before your next payment is sent. If a payment has already gone to the wrong account, contact your bank to see if they can retrieve it, then contact Social Security to confirm the correct information is now in their system.

Do not wait for Social Security to notice the error. Banks will typically return a misdirected direct deposit to Social Security after a few days, but the process can take weeks. Reporting the mistake yourself ensures the correction happens faster.

Changing direct deposit if you do not have a bank account

If you do not have a traditional bank account, you can set up direct deposit to a prepaid debit card or a savings account at a credit union. Both have routing numbers and account numbers just like a bank account. Some prepaid card companies offer accounts specifically designed to receive government benefits — ask your card provider whether they support Social Security direct deposit and what information you will need to provide.

If you cannot set up direct deposit, Social Security will mail you a paper check each month. This takes longer and is less find than direct deposit, but it is an option if you have no other way to receive your payment. Call 1-800-772-1213 to request paper checks instead of direct deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a direct deposit change to go into effect?

Most direct deposit changes take effect within one to three business days. Your next scheduled Social Security payment will go to the new account. If you change your information late in the month, the change may not take effect until the following month's 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, make the change through Social Security as soon as you open your new account to avoid missing a payment.

What if my bank account is closed and I have not updated Social Security yet?

Contact Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213 or through your my Social Security account to update your information. If a payment was sent to the closed account, your bank will return it to Social Security. Once Social Security receives the returned payment, they will reissue it to your new account, but this process can take several weeks. Update your direct deposit before your account closes to avoid this delay.

Do I need to create a my Social Security account to change my direct deposit?

No. You can change your direct deposit by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or by mailing Form SSA-1199-OP4 to your local Social Security office. Creating an account is the fastest option, but it is not required.

Will Social Security send me a confirmation when I change my direct deposit online?

Social Security does not send an email or letter confirming an online direct deposit change. Your my Social Security account will display the new bank information, so you can log in anytime to verify the change was saved. If you change by phone or mail, ask the representative or office for a confirmation number.