You can change your direct deposit bank by contacting Social Security, your current bank, or both
Social Security does not require you to stay with one bank forever. If you want your monthly payment to go to a different bank account instead, you have three ways to make the change: call Social Security directly, use their online portal if you have a my Social Security account, or ask your new bank to set it up for you. The fastest route is usually calling Social Security, because they can confirm the change was processed before you hang up.
The change itself takes a few minutes to request, but it typically takes one to two pay cycles (so up to two months) before your payment actually arrives at the new bank. During that time, your payment will still go to your old account. Plan ahead if you are switching because you are closing the old account or because the old bank is charging fees you want to avoid.
Key Takeaways
- You can request a direct deposit change by phone, online through my Social Security, or by asking your new bank to handle it for you.
- Social Security's phone number is 1-800-772-1213, and they can process the change while you are on the call.
- The change takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so your old account will receive at least one more payment after you request the switch.
- You will need your new bank's routing number and your new account number before you call or visit the Social Security office.
- If you are closing your old bank account, wait until you see the final payment arrive before closing it.
Getting your new bank's routing and account numbers
Before you contact Social Security, you need two pieces of information from your new bank: the routing number and your account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank itself. Your account number is the unique number for your specific account at that bank.
You can find both numbers on the bottom left of any check from your new account — the routing number comes first, then your account number. If you do not have checks yet, log into your online banking, call the bank's customer service line, or visit a branch in person and ask for both numbers. Write them down before you call Social Security so you have them ready.
Changing your direct deposit by phone
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You can call Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Have your Social Security number, your new bank's routing number, and your new account number ready before you call.
When you reach a representative, tell them you want to change your direct deposit bank. They will ask you to confirm your identity by providing your Social Security number and possibly your date of birth. Then they will ask for your new bank's routing number and your account number. Read the numbers slowly and clearly, and ask them to repeat them back to you to make sure they got them right. Once they confirm the information, the change is in the system.
Ask the representative when you should expect to see the first payment at your new bank — they can tell you the exact date based on when Social Security processes payments that month. Keep a record of the date and time you called, in case you need to follow up later.
Changing your direct deposit online through my Social Security
If you have a my Social Security account, you can change your direct deposit without calling. Go to ssa.gov and sign in to your account. Look for a section labeled "Direct Deposit" or "Payment Information" — the exact wording varies depending on when your account was created.
Click on the option to change your direct deposit. You will be asked to enter your new bank's routing number and account number. Double-check both numbers before you submit, because a mistake will send your payment to the wrong account. Once you submit the change, you should see a confirmation message on screen. Write down the confirmation number if one appears, or take a screenshot.
If you do not have a my Social Security account yet, you can create one at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or address on file with Social Security.
Asking your new bank to set up the change
Some banks offer to handle direct deposit changes for you. When you open your new account, ask the bank representative if they can contact Social Security on your behalf to switch your direct deposit. Not all banks do this, but many will if you ask.
If your bank offers this service, they will typically need you to sign a form authorizing them to make the change. They will then submit your information to Social Security using their own process. This can sometimes be faster than calling yourself, but it depends on how quickly the bank processes the request and how quickly Social Security receives it.
Even if your bank handles the request, you should still verify the change went through. After a week or so, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and confirm that your direct deposit is now set to your new account. This takes just a minute and protects you from a payment going to the wrong place.
What happens to your old bank account during the switch
Your old bank account will receive at least one more Social Security payment after you request the change, because the switch takes one to two pay cycles to process. Do not close your old account right away, or that payment will bounce and you will have to contact Social Security to get it resent.
Wait until you see the final payment arrive in your old account, then wait another week or two to be safe. Once you are certain no more payments are coming to the old account, you can close it. If you are switching banks because the old bank charges fees or has poor service, you can ask them to waive any fees during the final weeks while you are waiting for the last payment.
If something goes wrong with the change
If you requested the change more than two months ago and your payment still has not arrived at your new bank, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number and both bank account numbers (old and new) ready. A representative can check whether the change was processed correctly and, if there was an error, resubmit it.
If a payment went to your old account by mistake after you thought the change was complete, contact your old bank and ask them to return the funds. Then call Social Security to confirm your new account information is correct in their system. Mistakes are rare, but they do happen — staying in touch with both banks during the transition protects you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the change to show up?
One to two pay cycles, which usually means one to two months. Your payment will continue going to your old account until the change takes effect. Social Security processes payments on a set schedule based on your birth date, so the representative you speak with can tell you the exact date your first payment should arrive at the new bank.
What if I give Social Security the wrong account number?
Your payment will go to the wrong account. Call Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213 and provide the correct account number. They can resubmit the change, but you may miss a payment or two while the correction processes. This is why it is important to read the numbers slowly and have the representative repeat them back to you.
Can I change my direct deposit more than once?
Yes. You can change your direct deposit as many times as you need to. Each change takes one to two pay cycles to process, so plan ahead if you are switching banks frequently. There is no limit to how many times you can make the change.
Do I have to close my old bank account right away?
No. Keep your old account open until you are certain your final Social Security payment has arrived there. Once you see that payment and wait another week or two, you can close the account. If you close it too early, a payment may bounce and you will have to contact Social Security to have it resent.
What if I do not have a my Social Security account and do not want to create one?
You can change your direct deposit by phone or in person. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Both options work just as well as the online method. You do not need a my Social Security account to change your direct deposit.