How to change your Social Security direct deposit bank account

You can change which bank account receives your Social Security payment through three channels: the Social Security Administration website, by phone, or in person at a local office. The fastest route is my Social Security, the SSA's online portal, where you can update your account information yourself in minutes. If you do not have an online account or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time, or visit a Social Security office in your area. Changes typically take one to two business days to process, though the SSA recommends allowing up to five business days before your next payment arrives in the new account.

You will need your new bank's routing number and your account number to complete the change. These appear on the bottom left of your checks, or you can contact your bank directly to confirm them. The SSA will not process the change if the account information does not match your bank's records exactly, so double-check both numbers before submitting.

Key Takeaways

  • The my Social Security website is the fastest way to change your direct deposit account, and the change takes effect within one to two business days.
  • You need your new bank's routing number and your account number; these must match your bank's records exactly or the SSA will reject the change.
  • If you do not have internet access or prefer phone support, call 1-800-772-1213 during business hours or visit a local Social Security office.
  • The SSA recommends allowing up to five business days for the change to take effect, even though most changes process faster.

Updating your account through my Social Security online

Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address, Social Security number, and date of birth. The SSA will ask you to verify your identity through a third-party service; you can choose to verify by phone, text message, or email depending on what information is on file.

Once logged in, select "Manage your benefits" and then "Change direct deposit information." Enter your new bank's routing number and account number in the fields provided. The system will ask you to confirm the account type (checking or savings) and will display the account information back to you for review. Check that every digit matches what your bank provided before you submit. After you confirm, the SSA will send you a confirmation message on screen and via email.

If you have a my Social Security account but cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page. The SSA will send you a reset link to your email address. If you do not have access to the email address you used to create the account, you will need to call the SSA or visit an office in person.

Changing your account by phone

Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative you want to change your direct deposit account. Have your new bank's routing number and account number ready. The representative will ask you to verify your identity by confirming your Social Security number, date of birth, and possibly other personal information. They will then update your account in the system and provide you with a confirmation number.

Wait times vary depending on the time of day and day of the week. The SSA reports shorter wait times early in the morning and mid-week. If you reach a busy signal, you can request a callback instead of waiting on hold; the SSA will call you back during the same business hours window.

Keep the confirmation number the representative gives you. If your payment does not arrive in the new account within five business days, you can reference this number when you call back to investigate.

Changing your account in person at a Social Security office

Visit your local Social Security office with a photo ID and proof of your new bank account. Proof of the account can be a recent bank statement, a deposit slip, or a letter from your bank on official letterhead showing your name, account number, and routing number. The office staff will update your information on the spot and give you a receipt showing the change was processed.

You can find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Some offices accept walk-ins, but many now require an appointment. Check the office's page before you go, or call ahead to ask whether you need to schedule a time.

What happens if you enter the wrong account information

If you provide an incorrect routing number or account number, your payment will be rejected by the bank and returned to the SSA. This typically takes three to five business days. Once the SSA receives the rejected payment, they will hold it and attempt to redeposit it into the account you specified. If the account information remains incorrect, the payment will bounce again.

If your payment bounces twice, the SSA will stop attempting electronic deposit and will instead issue you a check by mail. This adds another week or more to receiving your money. To avoid this, contact the SSA immediately if you realize you entered the wrong account information. You can update it again through my Social Security, by phone, or in person, and the SSA can manually reprocess the rejected payment into the correct account.

Timing: when the change takes effect

Changes made before the 10th of the month usually take effect for the payment issued on the third of the following month. Changes made on or after the 10th typically do not take effect until the payment after that. For example, if you change your account on September 8th, the change will apply to the payment issued October 3rd. If you change it on September 15th, it will not apply until November 3rd.

This timing applies whether you update online, by phone, or in person. The SSA recommends allowing up to five business days for processing, but most changes go through within one to two business days. If your payment does not arrive in the new account by the fifth business day after the expected payment date, contact the SSA to confirm the change was processed.

Keeping your old account open temporarily

Leave your old bank account open for at least one full payment cycle after you change your direct deposit information. If the SSA's system has a delay or if the change does not take effect when you expect, your payment may still arrive in the old account. If that account is closed, the payment will be returned to the SSA and you will have to wait for them to reissue it.

Once you have received one full payment in the new account and confirmed the money arrived, you can close the old account. Some banks charge a fee to close an account early, so check your account agreement or call your bank to ask whether there is a penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my direct deposit account if I do not have internet access?

Yes. Call 1-800-772-1213 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern) or visit a local Social Security office in person. Both options require the same information: your new bank's routing number and account number.

What if I change my account but my payment goes to the old one anyway?

Contact the SSA immediately at 1-800-772-1213 or through my Social Security. The change may not have processed in time for that payment cycle. The SSA can manually redirect the payment to your new account or reissue it once the old bank returns it. Keep the old account open until you confirm the next payment arrives in the new one.

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

No. The SSA will send the payment to the routing number and account number you provide, and your bank will accept it as long as the information is correct. You do not need to tell your bank in advance, but you can if you want to confirm the account details are accurate.

How long does it take for a rejected payment to be redeposited?

If your payment bounces because of incorrect account information, the bank returns it to the SSA within three to five business days. The SSA then attempts to redeposit it into the account you specified. If the information is still wrong, the payment bounces again and the SSA switches to mailing you a check instead, which adds another week or more.

Can I change my direct deposit account more than once a month?

Yes, you can change it as many times as you need to. However, the SSA processes changes based on the date you submit them, so multiple changes in the same month may not all take effect until different payment cycles. If you need to change your account urgently, call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative who can explain the timing for your specific situation.