You can change your Social Security deposit account online, by phone, or by mail — the fastest route is the Social Security website if you have a my Social Security account

Social Security lets you change where your monthly payment lands without calling an office or waiting in line. The my Social Security account portal at ssa.gov is the quickest method: log in, go to "Manage Your Benefits," select "Change Direct Deposit Information," enter your new bank details, and the change takes effect within one or two business days. If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and a representative will update it over the phone. Paper forms and in-person visits at a local office are slower but work if you cannot use the website or phone.

The bank information Social Security needs is straightforward: your routing number (the nine-digit code that identifies your bank), your account number, and confirmation of whether the account is checking or savings. Most banks print both on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank's customer service line and ask. Social Security does not charge a fee to change your deposit account, and the change does not affect your benefit amount or payment schedule — only where the money goes.

Key Takeaways

  • The my Social Security website is the fastest way to change your deposit account, taking one to two business days once you submit the change.
  • You will need your routing number and account number from your bank, which you can find on a check or by calling your bank directly.
  • If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, calling 1-800-772-1213 will connect you to a Social Security representative who can make the change over the phone.
  • Changes made online or by phone take effect within one or two business days; your next payment will go to the new account once the change is complete.
  • Social Security does not charge a fee to update your deposit information, and changing your account does not delay or reduce your benefit payment.

Creating or logging into your my Social Security account

If you have never set up a my Social Security account, you will need to create one before you can change your deposit information online. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account." Social Security will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address, then send you a verification code to confirm your identity. You can verify through a text message to your phone or by answering security questions based on your credit history.

Once your account is created and verified, log in and look for the "Manage Your Benefits" section. From there, select "Change Direct Deposit Information" and you will see a form asking for your new bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type. Enter the information carefully — a wrong digit in either number will send your payment to the wrong account or cause it to bounce back. After you submit, Social Security will display a confirmation screen showing the new bank details. Take a screenshot or write down the confirmation number in case you need to reference it later.

Changing your deposit account by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Have your routing number and account number ready before you call. A representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, and possibly other personal details. Once verified, tell them you want to change your direct deposit account and provide the routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings).

The representative will read back the information to confirm it is correct before submitting the change. Ask for a confirmation number and write it down — this is your record that the change was requested. The update will take effect within one to two business days, and your next scheduled payment will go to the new account. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY number 1-800-325-0778.

Using a paper form or visiting an office in person

If you prefer to submit a written request, you can use Form SSA-1199-OP1 (Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form), which you can download from ssa.gov or request by mail. Fill out the form with your Social Security number, the new routing number, account number, and account type, then sign and date it. Mail the form to your local Social Security office — you can find the address at ssa.gov/locator — or bring it in person.

Processing a paper form takes longer than online or phone requests, usually two to three weeks. If you go in person, bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it. A representative will review your form, answer any questions, and file it. Ask for a receipt or confirmation that shows the date you submitted the form and the new account details. This gives you proof of when you made the request if there is a delay or problem.

What happens between when you request the change and when it takes effect

After you submit a change online or by phone, Social Security sends the new information to your bank for verification. This process usually takes one to two business days. During this time, your current payment will still go to your old account if one is scheduled. Once the new account is verified, your next payment will be deposited there instead.

If you change your deposit account close to your payment date, your payment may still go to the old account because the change did not process in time. Social Security's payment schedule depends on your birth date: people born on the 1st through the 10th are paid on the second Wednesday of the month, those born on the 11th through the 20th on the third Wednesday, and those born on the 21st through the 31st on the fourth Wednesday. If you change your account after your payment has already been processed, you will have to wait until the following month to see the deposit in the new account.

Fixing a mistake if you entered the wrong bank information

If you realize you gave Social Security the wrong routing number or account number, change it again as soon as possible using the same method you used the first time. Log back into my Social Security, call 1-800-772-1213, or submit a new form. There is no limit to how many times you can update your deposit information, and each new request replaces the previous one.

If a payment was already sent to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately and explain that a Social Security deposit went to an account that is not yours. Your bank can attempt to recover the funds, though this process varies by bank and may take several days. In the meantime, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the error and confirm that your correct account information is now on file. Social Security can also investigate whether the payment reached the wrong account and may be able to reissue it to the correct one.

Changing your account if you close your bank or switch banks

When you close a bank account or move to a different bank, update your Social Security deposit information before the old account is fully closed. If Social Security tries to deposit your payment into a closed account, the bank will reject it and send it back. Social Security will then hold your payment and send you a notice explaining what happened. You will have to contact Social Security to provide a new account and request that the payment be reissued.

To avoid this delay, change your deposit account as soon as you know you are switching banks. If you are opening a new account at the same bank, you may be able to keep the same routing number but will need a new account number. If you are moving to a different bank entirely, you will need both a new routing number and a new account number. Update your information at least a week before your scheduled payment date to give Social Security time to process the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a deposit to show up in my new account after I change it?

Once Social Security processes your change, your next scheduled payment will be deposited into the new account. Processing takes one to two business days after you submit the change. If you change your account after your payment has already been processed for the month, you will see the deposit in the new account the following month.

What if I do not have internet access to use the my Social Security website?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and a representative will change your deposit account over the phone. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person with a completed Form SSA-1199-OP1, though this takes longer to process than a phone call.

Can I change my deposit account if I receive both Social Security and SSI?

Yes. If you receive both benefits, they may go to the same account or different accounts depending on how your case is set up. Changing your deposit account through my Social Security or by phone will update the account for whichever benefit you select. If you receive both and want them in different accounts, you will need to contact Social Security directly to set that up.

What if Social Security keeps rejecting my new bank account?

This usually means the routing number or account number is incorrect, or the account does not exist. Double-check both numbers with your bank before trying again. If the numbers are correct and Social Security still rejects the account, call your bank and ask if there are any restrictions on receiving direct deposits, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to troubleshoot the problem with a representative.

Do I need to notify Social Security if I change banks but keep the same account number?

Yes. Even if your account number stays the same, your routing number will change when you move to a different bank. Social Security needs the correct routing number to send your payment to the right place. Update your information through my Social Security, by phone, or by mail to make sure your payment goes to the correct bank.