Where to change your banking details for Social Security
You can update your bank account information for Social Security payments through three methods: online at my Social Security, by phone with the Social Security Administration, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is fastest — changes usually take effect within one to three business days. Phone and in-person updates may take slightly longer, typically three to five business days.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to Social Security, you will need to update your banking information separately through the SSI system, which uses the same my Social Security website but a different login process.
Direct deposit is the only way Social Security pays benefits now — the agency stopped mailing checks in 2013. If you do not currently have direct deposit set up, you must establish it before your next payment date to avoid delays.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your bank account online through my Social Security, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person.
- Online changes take one to three business days; phone and in-person changes take three to five business days.
- You will need your routing number and account number from your bank to complete the update.
- If you receive SSI, you must update banking information separately through the SSI section of my Social Security.
- Social Security no longer mails checks, so direct deposit is required for all benefit payments.
Updating your account online through my Social Security
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and Social Security number. You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions or using a text message or email verification code.
Once logged in, look for "Change Direct Deposit Information" or "Manage Your Representative Payee" (if someone else manages your benefits). Click that option and enter your new routing number and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank; your account number is the number printed on your checks or available through your bank's website or app.
After you submit the change, you will see a confirmation message on screen. Social Security will send you an email confirmation as well. Keep that email for your records. Your new bank account will receive your next scheduled payment, which typically arrives within one to three business days of the change.
Changing your banking information by phone
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have your routing number and account number ready before you call.
Tell the representative you need to update your direct deposit information. They will ask you to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and possibly the last four digits of your phone number. Once verified, give them your new routing number and account number.
The representative will read back the information to confirm it is correct. Ask them to provide a confirmation number for your records. Changes made by phone typically take three to five business days to process, so your next payment may still go to your old account if you call close to your payment date.
Updating banking details in person at a Social Security office
Visit your local Social Security office with a photo ID and proof of your current bank account (a recent bank statement, a voided check, or a letter from your bank showing your routing and account numbers). You can find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator.
Tell the staff member you need to update your direct deposit information. They will fill out the form with you and verify your identity. You will receive a receipt showing the change was submitted. Processing time is typically three to five business days.
In-person visits can be useful if you have questions about your account or if you need to update other information at the same time. However, wait times at Social Security offices can be long, especially early in the month. Consider calling ahead to ask about current wait times.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details before you attempt to change your banking information: your nine-digit routing number (the code that identifies your specific bank branch) and your complete account number (the number tied to your specific checking or savings account). Do not use a credit card number or a loan account number.
Your routing number appears on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it by logging into your bank's website or app, calling your bank's customer service line, or searching "routing number" plus your bank's name online. Your account number is on the bottom center of your checks or available through your bank's online portal.
If you do not have checks or online access to your account, call your bank directly and ask for both numbers. Have your account holder ID or Social Security number ready when you call.
Timing: when the change takes effect
Social Security processes direct deposit changes on a rolling basis. If you make the change online or by phone before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, it may be processed the same day. If you make it after that time or on a weekend or holiday, it will be processed the next business day.
Once processed, your new bank account will receive your next scheduled benefit payment. Social Security payments are deposited on the third day of each month (or the last business day before the third if the third falls on a weekend or holiday). If you change your banking information on the 28th of the month and your payment is due on the 3rd, your old account will likely still receive that payment — the new account will receive the payment on the 3rd of the following month.
If you are changing your account because your old bank account is closed or compromised, contact Social Security immediately by phone or in person rather than waiting for online processing. This reduces the risk of a payment being sent to an account you no longer control.
Updating SSI banking information separately
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to your regular Social Security benefit, you must update your banking information for SSI through a separate process. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and log in, then look for the SSI section of your account. The steps are the same — you will enter your new routing and account numbers — but SSI changes are processed separately from regular Social Security changes.
Some people receive both Social Security and SSI. In that case, both payments may go to the same bank account, but you still need to update each one individually in the system. If you are unsure whether you receive SSI, check your benefit letter or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask.
What to do if your change does not go through
If your new bank account does not receive a payment within five business days of the change, contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Have your confirmation number ready (from your online confirmation email or your phone call or in-person receipt).
Ask the representative to confirm that your new banking information was entered correctly in the system. Sometimes a typo in the routing number or account number will cause the payment to be rejected by the bank. If an error is found, the representative can correct it immediately, and your next payment will go to the correct account.
If your payment went to your old account by mistake, contact that bank and ask them to return the funds to Social Security. You can also contact Social Security and ask them to retrieve the payment from the old account, though this process can take several weeks. In the meantime, your next payment will go to your new account as scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank account information if someone else manages my benefits?
If a representative payee manages your Social Security benefits, they must make the change, not you. The representative payee can update the information online, by phone, or in person using the same methods described above. They will need to verify their identity and their relationship to you as your payee.
What if I do not have a bank account yet?
Social Security requires direct deposit, so you will need to open a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union before your first payment. Many banks offer accounts with no minimum balance. Once your account is open, you can set up direct deposit through my Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
How long does it take to change my bank account if I am switching banks?
The change itself takes one to five business days depending on your method. However, if you switch banks close to your payment date, your payment may still go to your old account. Plan the change at least one week before your payment date to be safe.
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account for direct deposit?
Yes, Social Security can deposit to either a checking or savings account. You will need the routing number for the bank and the account number for the specific savings account you want to use.
What if I entered the wrong routing or account number?
Contact Social Security as soon as you realize the error. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office and ask them to correct the information in your account. The sooner you report it, the less likely a payment will be sent to the wrong account. If a payment was already sent to the wrong account, Social Security can work with that bank to retrieve it.