You can change your Social Security deposit account by phone, online, or in person at a field office
The Social Security Administration (SSA) lets you change where your monthly benefit deposits go. You do not have to keep the same bank account forever — you can switch to a different bank, credit union, or prepaid card account whenever you need to. The fastest route is calling Social Security's automated phone line, which processes the change in minutes. Online changes through your personal my Social Security account take about the same time. If you prefer to do it in person, you can visit a local Social Security field office, though you will need to bring proof of identity and your new bank details.
All three methods — phone, online, and in-person — take one to two business days to process. Your next benefit deposit will go to the new account once the change goes through. The timing of when that happens depends on when you make the change relative to your monthly deposit date, which varies based on your birth date.
Key Takeaways
- Call Social Security's automated system at 1-800-772-1213 to change your deposit account by phone without waiting for a representative.
- Log into your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to update your bank information and see the change take effect within one or two business days.
- You will need your new bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a blank check or by calling your bank.
- Changes made early in the month usually take effect with your next deposit; changes made late in the month may not process until the following month's payment.
- If you change accounts and your old bank still receives a deposit by mistake, contact Social Security to report the duplicate payment.
Getting your routing number and account number ready
Before you contact Social Security, gather the routing and account numbers for your new bank. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union branch. The account number is unique to your individual account. Both appear on the bottom left of a blank check — the routing number comes first, then the account number. If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line and ask for both numbers. They can tell you over the phone in under a minute.
Make sure you have the correct account type selected at your new bank. Social Security deposits go into checking accounts, savings accounts, or money market accounts — not investment accounts or credit lines. If you are moving to a prepaid debit card, confirm with the card issuer that they accept direct deposits from federal agencies. Some prepaid cards do not, and Social Security will reject the deposit if the account cannot receive them.
Changing your account by phone
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and select the automated phone menu option for changing your direct deposit information. You will not need to speak to a representative. The system will ask you to enter your Social Security number, confirm your identity by answering security questions, and then provide your new routing and account numbers. Read the numbers back carefully — a single digit wrong will send your deposit to the wrong account.
The automated system processes the change immediately and confirms it on the call. You should see the new account information reflected in your my Social Security account within one business day. Your next benefit deposit will go to the new account, though the timing depends on when you made the change. If you call before the 10th of the month, the change usually takes effect with that month's payment. If you call after the 10th, it typically does not process until the following month.
Changing your account online through my Social Security
Go to ssa.gov and sign into your my Social Security account using your username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one in about five minutes with your email, Social Security number, and a few security questions. Once logged in, look for the "Change Direct Deposit Information" or "Manage Direct Deposit" option, usually found under account settings or payment information.
Enter your new routing number and account number, then review the information for accuracy before submitting. The system will confirm the change on screen. Like the phone method, online changes take effect within one or two business days, and your next deposit will go to the new account. The timing rule is the same: changes made early in the month usually process that month; changes made late in the month process the following month.
Changing your account in person at a field office
Visit your local Social Security field office with your new bank's routing and account numbers. Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and your Social Security card if you have it. The office staff will update your direct deposit information in their system and give you a receipt showing the change. Processing takes the same one to two business days as phone and online methods.
Field offices are open Monday through Friday, usually 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., though hours vary by location. You can find your nearest office and check its hours at ssa.gov/locator. Going in person is useful if you have questions about the process or if you have had trouble changing your account by phone or online, but it is not faster than the other methods.
What happens if your deposit goes to the wrong account
If you changed your account but Social Security still deposited your benefit into the old account by mistake, contact Social Security right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain that you received a duplicate deposit. Social Security will work with you to recover the mistaken payment. Do not spend the money from the wrong account — the bank may reverse it, or Social Security may ask you to return it.
If your new bank rejects the deposit because the routing or account number was wrong, Social Security will try to return the money to their system. You will not receive your benefit that month, and you will need to contact Social Security to correct the account information and request a replacement payment. This is why reading your routing and account numbers back carefully before submitting is critical.
Timing your change to avoid missed or duplicate deposits
Social Security deposits benefits on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on your birth date. If you change your account in the week before your deposit date, there is a risk the change will not process in time, and your money will go to the old account. To be safe, make the change at least two weeks before your deposit date.
If you are closing the old account, do not close it immediately after changing your direct deposit. Wait at least one full month to confirm that your deposit arrived in the new account. Once you see the deposit hit the new account, you can safely close the old one. If you close it too soon and Social Security tries to deposit to it, the bank will reject the payment, and you will have to contact Social Security to reprocess it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the change to show up in my new account?
The change takes one to two business days to process in Social Security's system. Your next benefit deposit will go to the new account, but the timing depends on when you made the change relative to your deposit date. If you change your account early in the month, the deposit usually goes to the new account that month. If you change it late in the month, it may not process until the following month.
What if I do not have a bank account yet?
You can open a checking account at most banks or credit unions with just an ID and a small deposit. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance. Once you have the account open and receive your routing and account number, you can update your Social Security direct deposit information using any of the three methods above.
Can I change my account more than once?
Yes, you can change your direct deposit account as many times as you need to. Each change takes one to two business days to process. If you change your account multiple times in a short period, make sure you give each change time to process before making another one, or you may end up with deposits going to the wrong place.
What if I lost my Social Security card and cannot find my account number?
Call your bank's customer service number and ask for your routing and account number. You do not need your Social Security card to get this information — the bank can look it up using your name and account. When you call Social Security to change your direct deposit, you will need to verify your identity by answering security questions, not by showing your card.
Will changing my bank account affect my benefit amount?
No. Changing where your benefit is deposited does not change how much you receive. Your monthly benefit amount stays the same regardless of which bank account receives it.