You can change your bank account online through my Social Security, but only if you receive direct deposit
If you get Social Security payments by direct deposit, you can change the bank account they go to without calling or visiting an office. Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, go to "Manage Your Benefits," and select "Change Direct Deposit Information." You will need your new bank's routing number and your new account number. The change usually takes effect within one or two pay periods.
If you receive a paper check instead of direct deposit, you cannot change your bank account online—there is no bank account tied to your payments. You would need to set up direct deposit for the first time, which also happens through my Social Security.
If you do not have a my Social Security account yet, you will need to create one before you can make any changes. This requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address. You may also need to verify your identity using a phone number, state ID, or other documents.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your direct deposit bank account online through my Social Security if you already receive payments by direct deposit.
- The change takes one to two pay periods to go into effect, so plan ahead if you are closing an old account.
- You will need your new bank's routing number and your account number before you start.
- If you receive paper checks, you cannot change a bank account online because Social Security does not have one on file for you.
- If your my Social Security account is locked or you cannot verify your identity, you will need to call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office.
What information you need before you log in
Gather these details before you start the process. You will need your new bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the number of the specific account where you want deposits to land). Both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can call your bank or log into your online banking to find them.
You will also need access to the email address or phone number linked to your my Social Security account. Social Security may send a confirmation code to that address or number as part of the verification process, depending on how long it has been since you last logged in.
Do not change the information while you are in the middle of a pay period. Social Security processes direct deposits several days before the payment date, so if you change your account too close to payday, the money may still go to your old account. Check your payment schedule on your my Social Security account to see when your next deposit is due.
Step-by-step: changing your direct deposit online
Start by going to ssa.gov and clicking "Sign In to my Social Security" in the top right corner. Enter your username or email address and password. If you have not logged in recently, Social Security may ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or entering a code sent to your phone or email.
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." You will see a screen showing your current direct deposit details—bank name, account type, and the last four digits of your account number.
Click "Change" or "Edit" (the exact wording varies). Enter your new bank's routing number and your new account number. Double-check both numbers before you submit, because a mistake will send your payment to the wrong place. Select whether the account is checking or savings. Then click "Submit" or "Save Changes."
You will see a confirmation screen with your new bank details. Write down or screenshot the confirmation number and the date you made the change. Social Security will send a confirmation letter to your mailing address within a few days. Your next direct deposit should go to the new account within one or two pay periods.
What happens if you cannot access my Social Security online
If you do not have a my Social Security account, you will need to create one before you can change your direct deposit. Go to ssa.gov, click "Create an Account," and follow the steps. You will need to verify your identity, which usually means answering questions about your credit history or uploading a photo of your ID. This process can take a few minutes or up to a few days, depending on whether Social Security needs to verify additional information.
If your account is locked because you entered the wrong password too many times, you can unlock it by clicking "Forgot Username or Password" on the sign-in page. Social Security will send you a link to reset your password.
If you cannot verify your identity online—for example, if you do not have a credit history or your information does not match Social Security's records—you will need to call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person. Have your new bank account information ready when you call.
Timing: when the change takes effect
Social Security processes direct deposits on a schedule that depends on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of the month, you receive payments on the second Wednesday. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, you receive payments on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you receive payments on the fourth Wednesday. You can see your exact payment date on your my Social Security account.
When you change your bank account online, the change usually takes effect within one or two pay periods. This means if you change your account on a Monday and your next payment is due on Wednesday, the money may still go to your old account. If you change it a week or more before your payment date, it will almost certainly go to the new account.
During the transition, watch both your old and new accounts to make sure the deposit lands in the right place. If a payment goes to your old account by mistake, contact your old bank to see if you can retrieve it, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the error.
What to do if the change does not go through
If you submitted the change online but your next payment still went to your old account, log back into my Social Security and check "Manage Your Benefits" to confirm the new information was saved. Sometimes the page does not update immediately, so wait a few hours and refresh your browser.
If the new account information is not showing, try changing it again. If you get an error message, take a screenshot and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your new routing number and account number ready, and be prepared to verify your identity over the phone.
If the information is saved correctly but the payment still went to your old account, it may be because you changed it too close to the processing date. Wait for the next payment cycle. If the second payment also goes to the wrong account, call Social Security immediately. They can investigate whether there was a processing error and may be able to recover the misdirected payment.
Switching from paper checks to direct deposit
If you currently receive paper checks and want to set up direct deposit for the first time, you can do this through my Social Security as well. Log in, go to "Manage Your Benefits," and select "Set Up Direct Deposit." You will enter your bank's routing number and your account number, just as you would when changing an existing direct deposit.
Once you set up direct deposit, your next payment will go to your bank account instead of arriving by mail. Paper checks typically take five to seven business days to arrive, so direct deposit is faster and more secure. You can keep receiving paper checks if you prefer, but you will need to request this change by calling Social Security or visiting an office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank account if I am not the one receiving the payments?
No. Only the person receiving Social Security benefits can change the direct deposit account. If you are managing someone else's benefits as a representative payee, you can make the change on their behalf, but you will need to log into their my Social Security account using their credentials or contact Social Security directly.
What if my new bank account is not in my name?
Social Security requires that the bank account belong to you or be a joint account with your spouse. You cannot direct your payments to someone else's account. If you need to set up a joint account, contact your bank first, then update your direct deposit information once the account is open.
How long does it take to get a confirmation that the change went through?
You will see a confirmation on your screen immediately after you submit the change. Social Security will also mail a confirmation letter to your address within a few days. If you do not receive a letter within two weeks, log back into my Social Security to verify the change was saved.
Can I change my direct deposit account the day before my payment is due?
You can submit the change, but it will likely not take effect in time for the next payment. Social Security processes deposits several days before the payment date, so a change made the day before usually arrives too late. Plan to change your account at least a week before your next payment date.
What if I entered the wrong routing or account number?
Log back into my Social Security and change the information again with the correct numbers. Do this as soon as you notice the mistake. If a payment has already gone to the wrong account, contact your bank to see if they can retrieve it, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the error.