You need to contact Social Security directly, not your bank
Social Security does not automatically detect when you change banks. You must tell them yourself, either online through your My Social Security account, by phone, or in person at a local office. The process takes a few minutes, but the change can take one to two pay cycles to show up in your direct deposits—so plan ahead if you are switching banks.
Social Security holds your bank details for direct deposit only. They do not use your account information for anything else, and they will not contact your old bank. Once you update your information with Social Security, your next payment will go to the new account you provide.
Key Takeaways
- You must update your bank account with Social Security yourself—your bank cannot do it for you, and Social Security will not find out on their own.
- The fastest way is through your My Social Security account online, which takes about five minutes and shows the change when ready.
- By phone, you can reach Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), and the update takes the same amount of time.
- Your next direct deposit will go to the new account, but it may take one to two pay cycles for the change to process completely.
- If you do not update Social Security before closing your old account, your payment may be returned and delayed.
Updating online through My Social Security
Go to ssa.gov and sign into your My Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create it with your email address, Social Security number, and a few pieces of personal information to verify your identity. Once you are logged in, look for the "Payment Information" or "Direct Deposit" section—the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created.
Click on the option to change your direct deposit information. You will be asked to enter your new bank's routing number and your new account number. Both of these appear on a blank check from your new bank, or you can call the bank and ask for them. After you enter the information and confirm it, the change is recorded when ready in Social Security's system.
You will receive a confirmation message on screen and, usually, an email confirming the change. Keep that email for your records. Social Security will begin sending your next payment to the new account.
Updating by phone or in person
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing). Have your new bank's routing number and account number ready before you call. A representative will ask you to confirm your identity, then update your direct deposit information while you are on the phone. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.
If you prefer to speak to someone in person, visit your local Social Security office. You can find the address and hours at ssa.gov/locator. Bring a blank check from your new bank or write down your routing and account numbers before you go. The office staff will update your information on the spot.
What happens during the transition period
Social Security processes payments on a set schedule based on your birth date. If you update your bank information before your next payment date, the payment will go to your new account. If you update it after the payment has already been processed, it will still go to your old account, and the change will take effect on the following payment.
This is why timing matters: if you are closing your old bank account, do it after you know your Social Security payment has arrived in the new account. If you close the old account too soon and a payment is sent there, the bank will return it to Social Security, and you will have to wait for Social Security to reissue the payment—a process that can add one to two weeks.
If you are worried about a payment being sent to a closed account, call Social Security before you close the old account and ask them to confirm the change has been processed.
If your payment goes to the wrong account
If a payment was sent to your old account after you closed it, or if it went somewhere else by mistake, contact Social Security when ready. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain what happened. Social Security can see where the payment was sent and will work with you to recover it.
The bank that received the payment may also be able to help. If the payment was returned to Social Security because the account was closed, Social Security will reissue it, usually within five to seven business days. If the payment went to a third party's account by mistake, Social Security may need to file a claim with that bank to recover the funds, which takes longer.
Information you will need
Before you contact Social Security, gather the following:
- Your Social Security number
- Your new bank's routing number (the nine-digit code at the bottom left of a check)
- Your new account number (the longer number at the bottom center of a check)
- Whether your account is checking or savings
If you do not have a check, call your new bank's customer service line and ask for the routing and account numbers. They can provide them over the phone in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank account information on the same day I open a new account?
Yes, as long as the account is open and active. You will need the routing and account numbers, which the bank can give you when ready. However, wait until your first Social Security payment arrives in the new account before you close the old one, to make sure the change went through.
What if I do not have online access or a phone?
Visit your local Social Security office in person. You can find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator. Bring a blank check from your new bank or the routing and account numbers written down. Office staff will update your information while you wait.
Does Social Security charge a fee to change my bank account?
No. Social Security does not charge any fee for updating your direct deposit information. If someone claims they can change your bank account for a fee, they are running a scam.
How long does it take for the change to show up?
The change is recorded in Social Security's system when ready when you update it online or by phone. Your next payment will go to the new account, but it may take one to two pay cycles for the change to fully process. Your payment date does not change—only where the money is sent.
What if I made a mistake entering my account number?
Contact Social Security right away and provide the correct information. If a payment was already sent to the wrong account, Social Security can help you recover it. The sooner you catch the error, the easier it is to fix.