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

Social Security lets you change which bank account receives your monthly payment. You do not have to contact your bank — you contact Social Security directly through their website, by calling their toll-free number, or by mailing a form. The change usually takes effect within one or two months, though it can be faster if you use the online method.

You will need your Social Security number, your new bank account number, and your bank's routing number. If you do not have your routing number, your bank can give it to you, or you can find it on a check or through your bank's website.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to change direct deposit is through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, which takes effect in one to two months.
  • You can also call Social Security's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak to a representative who will update your account over the phone.
  • If you mail a form, use the Statement Regarding Your Social Security Account form (SSA-1724), which you can print from ssa.gov or request by phone.
  • Have your new bank's routing number and your account number ready before you start, as you will need both pieces of information.
  • Your old account will stop receiving payments once the change takes effect, so make sure your new account information is correct before you submit.

Changing direct deposit through your my Social Security account

The online method is the fastest. Go to ssa.gov and sign in to your my Social Security account. If you do not have an account yet, you can create one using your email address and a password. You will need to verify your identity — Social Security will ask you questions based on your credit history or send a code to your email.

Once you are signed in, look for "Change Direct Deposit Information" or a similar option in the account menu. Enter your new bank's routing number and your account number. Double-check both numbers before you submit, because a mistake will send your payment to the wrong account. After you submit, Social Security will show you a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot.

The change usually takes one to two months. During that time, your payment will still go to your old account. Once the switch happens, your old account will stop receiving payments and your new account will start.

Changing direct deposit by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY number 1-800-325-0778. Have your Social Security number, your new bank's routing number, and your account number ready before you call.

A representative will verify your identity by asking you questions about your personal history. Once they confirm who you are, tell them you want to change your direct deposit account. Give them your new routing number and account number slowly and clearly. Ask them to read both numbers back to you to make sure they got them right.

The representative will give you a confirmation number. Write it down. The change will take effect within one to two months, the same as the online method.

Changing direct deposit by mail

Print or request the Statement Regarding Your Social Security Account form, also called SSA-1724. You can read it from ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask Social Security to mail it to you. Fill in your Social Security number, your new bank's routing number, and your account number. Sign and date the form.

Mail the completed form to the Social Security office that serves your area. You can find the address on ssa.gov by entering your zip code, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the mailing address. Keep a copy for your records.

The mail method takes longer than phone or online — expect the change to take two to three months. During that time, your payment will still go to your old account.

What happens to your old account after the change

Once your direct deposit change takes effect, Social Security will stop sending payments to your old account. Your old bank will not automatically close the account — you can keep it open if you want, or you can close it yourself. Check with your old bank to see if there are any fees for keeping an inactive account.

If you have any automatic payments or transfers set up from your old account, change those before your Social Security payment stops going there. For example, if you have a bill that automatically deducts from that account each month, update it to pull from your new account instead.

Finding your bank's routing number

Your bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. You can find it in several places. The easiest is to look at the bottom left corner of one of your checks — the routing number is the first set of numbers. You can also log into your bank's website or app and look for account information or settings. Or call your bank's customer service line and ask them for your routing number.

Make sure you have the correct routing number for your specific branch or account type. Some banks have different routing numbers for different regions or account types. If you are not sure, ask your bank to confirm.

What to do if you make a mistake

If you realize you gave Social Security the wrong account number or routing number before the change takes effect, contact them right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 or sign into your my Social Security account and update the information. The sooner you correct it, the better.

If the change has already taken effect and your payment went to the wrong account, contact your bank when ready. Tell them the payment was sent to your account by mistake and ask them to return it. Then contact Social Security and provide the correct account information so future payments go to the right place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the change to show up?

One to two months is typical for online or phone changes. Mail takes two to three months. During the waiting period, your payment still goes to your old account. Once the change takes effect, your new account receives the next payment.

Can I change my direct deposit more than once?

Yes. You can change it as many times as you need to. Each change takes one to two months to take effect. If you need to change it again before the first change takes effect, contact Social Security and they can update it.

What if I do not have a bank account?

Social Security requires direct deposit for most beneficiaries. If you do not have a bank account, you can open one at most banks or credit unions. Some banks offer accounts with no minimum balance or monthly fees. You can also ask Social Security about other payment options if you cannot set up direct deposit.

Do I need to tell my bank that Social Security is sending money to my account?

No. Your bank does not need advance notice. Social Security will send the payment using your routing number and account number, and your bank will deposit it automatically. You do not need to do anything on your bank's end.

What if I lose access to my my Social Security account?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and a representative can change your direct deposit over the phone. You can also mail the SSA-1724 form. You do not have to use the online account to make the change.