Change your bank account through my Social Security or by phone
You can change which bank account receives your Social Security payment in two ways: online through your my Social Security account, or by calling Social Security directly. The online route is faster — changes usually take effect within one or two business days. The phone route takes longer but works if you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone.
To change online, log into my Social Security at ssa.gov, go to "Manage Your Benefits," select "Change Direct Deposit Information," and enter your new bank details. You will need your routing number (the nine-digit code at the bottom left of your checks) and account number. Social Security will send a test deposit of less than $1 to your new account within one or two business days to confirm it is real. Once that test deposit clears, your regular payment moves to the new account.
To change by phone, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). Have your routing number and account number ready. A representative will update your information on the spot. This method takes longer — typically three to five business days — because Social Security still sends a test deposit to verify the account before your regular payment starts.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your direct deposit bank account online through my Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- Online changes take effect within one or two business days; phone changes take three to five business days.
- Social Security sends a test deposit of less than $1 to your new account to confirm it exists before your regular payment begins.
- You will need your new bank's routing number (nine digits) and your account number to complete the change.
- If you do not have a bank account yet, you can set one up at most banks or credit unions before you change your direct deposit information.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details before you log in or call. You will need your Social Security number, your new bank's routing number, and your new account number. The routing number is printed at the bottom left of your checks — it is nine digits long. If you do not have checks, call your bank and ask for the routing number, or find it on your bank's website under "banking information" or "account details."
Your account number is also on the bottom of your checks, printed after the routing number. If you cannot find it there, log into your bank's website or app and look for "account details" or "account information." You can also call your bank's customer service line and they will give you both numbers over the phone.
Have your Social Security number handy as well. If you are changing your direct deposit online, you will need to log into my Social Security, which requires your Social Security number and a password. If you are calling, the representative will ask for your Social Security number to pull up your account.
How to change your account online through my Social Security
Go to ssa.gov and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. If you do not have a my Social Security account yet, you can create one by clicking "Create an Account." You will need to verify your identity — Social Security will ask you questions about your credit history or send a one-time code to your email or phone.
Once you are logged in, look for "Manage Your Benefits" on the left side of the page. Click it, then select "Change Direct Deposit Information." A form will appear asking for your new bank's routing number and your account number. Enter both carefully — a mistake in either number will cause the test deposit to fail and delay your payment.
After you submit the form, Social Security will send a confirmation message to your my Social Security inbox. Within one or two business days, a test deposit of less than $1 will appear in your new account. Check your account balance or statement to confirm you received it. Once the test deposit clears, your next regular Social Security payment will go to the new account. Your old account will not receive any more payments.
How to change your account by phone
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY line at 1-800-325-0778. Have your routing number and account number written down before you call — the representative will ask for them and you want to read them accurately.
A representative will answer and ask for your Social Security number to pull up your account. Tell them you want to change your direct deposit bank account. They will ask for your new bank's routing number and account number, and may ask why you are changing accounts (you do not have to give a detailed reason — "I switched banks" is enough).
The representative will read back the information to confirm it is correct. Listen carefully — if they read it wrong, correct them on the spot. After you hang up, Social Security will send a test deposit of less than $1 to your new account within three to five business days. Check your account to confirm you received it. Once it clears, your regular payment will move to the new account.
What happens to your old account after the change
Your old bank account will stop receiving Social Security payments once the change takes effect. If you had other payments going to that account — a pension, unemployment benefits, or direct deposits from an employer — those will not automatically move. You will need to change those separately with each organization that sends you money.
Close your old account only after you are certain your Social Security payment has moved to the new one. Wait at least one full payment cycle (usually one month) to be sure. If you close the account too soon and Social Security tries to send a payment there, the payment will bounce back and you may face a delay getting the money.
If you made a mistake entering your new account number or routing number, Social Security will try to deposit your payment and it will fail. When that happens, Social Security holds the payment and sends you a notice. You will need to correct the information and resubmit it. This can delay your payment by several days or weeks, so double-check the numbers before you submit.
If you do not have a bank account yet
Social Security requires direct deposit to go to a bank or credit union account in the United States. If you do not have one, you will need to open one before you can change your direct deposit. Most banks and credit unions offer basic checking accounts with no monthly fee if you set up direct deposit.
Visit a bank or credit union near you and ask to open a checking account. Bring a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of your address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement). Some banks also accept an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) if you do not have a Social Security number yet. The account usually opens the same day, and you will receive your routing number and account number immediately.
If you cannot visit a bank in person, some banks and credit unions let you open an account online. You will still need to verify your identity, usually by uploading a photo of your ID and answering security questions. Once your account is open, you can change your Social Security direct deposit to that account.
Troubleshooting if your change does not go through
If you submitted your change online or by phone but your payment did not arrive in your new account on the expected date, log into my Social Security or call 1-800-772-1213 to check the status. Social Security can tell you whether the change was processed and whether the test deposit was sent.
The most common reason a change fails is an incorrect routing number or account number. If you entered the wrong number, Social Security will try to deposit your payment and it will bounce back. When this happens, Social Security sends you a notice in the mail explaining what went wrong. You will need to correct the information and resubmit it. Until you do, your payment will be held.
If your new bank rejected the deposit because the account does not exist or the account number is wrong, contact your bank to confirm your routing number and account number are correct. Then log back into my Social Security or call Social Security again to update the information. The next payment cycle, Social Security will try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my payment to move to the new account?
Online changes take one to two business days. Phone changes take three to five business days. Both methods require Social Security to send a test deposit first to confirm the account is real. Once that test deposit clears, your next regular payment goes to the new account.
What if I entered the wrong routing number or account number?
Social Security will try to deposit your payment and it will fail. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining the problem. Log back into my Social Security or call 1-800-772-1213 to correct the information. Your payment will be held until you fix it, which can take several days or weeks.
Can I change my direct deposit on the day my payment is supposed to arrive?
Yes, but the change may not take effect in time for that payment. If you change your account online, it takes one to two business days. If you call, it takes three to five business days. If your payment is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, it will likely still go to your old account. Plan ahead if you can.
Do I need to tell my old bank I am closing the account?
No, but you should wait at least one full payment cycle after your Social Security payment moves to the new account before you close the old one. This gives you time to confirm the payment arrived and to catch any other direct deposits that might still be going there.
What if I do not have internet access to use my Social Security?
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. A representative can change your direct deposit information over the phone. This method takes three to five business days instead of one to two, but it works just as well.