SSI payments go into your bank account on the same day each month through direct deposit
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is paid by the Social Security Administration to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. If you receive SSI, the Social Security Administration requires you to use direct deposit — they no longer mail checks. Your payment lands in your bank account on the same date each month, usually between the 1st and the 3rd.
You do not have to do anything to keep direct deposit active once it is set up. The money arrives automatically. If your bank account closes or changes, you need to update your information with Social Security or the payments will stop.
Key Takeaways
- SSI payments are sent by direct deposit only; Social Security stopped mailing checks in 2013.
- Your payment date depends on your birth date: people born on the 1st through 10th are paid on the second Wednesday of the month, the 11th through 20th on the third Wednesday, and the 21st through 31st on the fourth Wednesday.
- You can use any bank account — checking or savings — at any U.S. bank, credit union, or prepaid card provider that accepts direct deposit.
- If your bank account closes or you change banks, you must tell Social Security within 10 days or your payment will be returned and held.
Payment dates for SSI in 2025
SSI payment dates are staggered by birth date to spread the workload. Your payment arrives on the same day every month. The schedule does not change for holidays — if your payment day falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the money is deposited the business day before.
| Birth date range | Payment day |
|---|---|
| 1st through 10th of any month | Second Wednesday of each month |
| 11th through 20th of any month | Third Wednesday of each month |
| 21st through 31st of any month | Fourth Wednesday of each month |
You can check your exact payment date by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security office. Your payment date stays the same unless you report a change in your birth date to Social Security, which is rare.
What bank accounts work for SSI direct deposit
You can use a checking account, savings account, or prepaid card account at any federally insured bank, credit union, or prepaid card provider in the United States. The account must be in your name or in your name and someone else's name jointly. Social Security will not deposit into an account held only in someone else's name, even if that person is your representative payee.
If you do not have a bank account, you can open one at most banks and credit unions with a photo ID and proof of address. Some banks offer accounts with no minimum balance and no monthly fee. Credit unions often have lower fees than banks. Prepaid card accounts are another option — you load money onto the card and use it like a debit card, though some prepaid cards charge monthly maintenance fees.
If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, you can still set up direct deposit. You may be able to use a shelter address, a mail drop service, or the address of a trusted person. Ask your local Social Security office what documentation they will accept.
How to set up or change your direct deposit information
You can update your bank account information online, by phone, or in person. The fastest way is through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov — you can add or change your bank details without waiting for an appointment. You will need your routing number and account number, which appear on the bottom left of your checks or can be found on your bank's website or by calling the bank.
If you do not have online access, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to update your direct deposit information. A representative will ask for your routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). You can also visit your local Social Security office in person with your bank account information and a photo ID.
Changes usually take 1 to 2 months to go into effect. Social Security will send you a notice in the mail confirming the change. Your payment will continue to go to your old account until the change is processed, so do not close the old account immediately.
What happens if your bank account closes or changes
If your bank account closes and Social Security does not have a new account on file, your SSI payment will be returned to Social Security and held. You will not receive the money until you provide a new account number. This can delay your payment by several weeks.
If your bank closes your account without your knowledge — which can happen if you do not use the account for a long time or if there are fees you cannot pay — contact Social Security as soon as you find out. Bring a new bank account number and ask Social Security to redeposit the returned payment. Some banks will reopen closed accounts temporarily to receive the deposit, which can help speed up the process.
If you move to a different bank, update your information with Social Security before closing your old account. This prevents a gap in your payments. You have 10 days to report a change in your bank account before Social Security considers the account invalid.
Direct deposit and representative payees
If Social Security has appointed a representative payee to manage your SSI benefits, the money is still deposited into a bank account. The account can be in your name alone, in your name and the payee's name jointly, or in the payee's name if you cannot manage the account yourself. Social Security requires the payee to keep records of how the money is spent and to file an annual report.
If you are a representative payee, you can update the bank account information through your own my Social Security account or by contacting Social Security. You will need to show that you are the payee — Social Security has this information on file. If the payee changes, the new payee must provide their own bank account information and Social Security will update the deposit within 1 to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my SSI payment on a different day of the month?
No. Your payment day is determined by your birth date and does not change. Social Security staggered the payment schedule to manage the volume of deposits. If you need money before your payment day, you may be able to borrow from a bank or credit union, or ask a local social services agency about emergency assistance programs.
What if I do not have a bank account and cannot open one?
Contact your local Social Security office and ask about alternatives. Some areas have community banks or credit unions that work with Social Security to open accounts for people who have been denied elsewhere. You can also ask about a representative payee who can hold the account on your behalf, though this means someone else will manage the money.
Will my SSI payment be delayed if I change banks?
Your payment will continue to go to your old account until Social Security processes the change, which takes 1 to 2 months. Do not close the old account until you see the payment arrive in the new account. If you close it too early, the payment will be returned and you will have to contact Social Security to redeposit it.
Can I have my SSI payment split between two bank accounts?
No. Social Security deposits the entire SSI payment into one account only. If you want to split the money between accounts, you will have to transfer it yourself after it arrives. Some banks allow you to set up automatic transfers to move money to a second account on the day the deposit arrives.
What if I think my SSI payment did not arrive on the right day?
Check your bank account to confirm the deposit did not arrive. Bank processing times can vary by one business day. If the payment is more than one business day late, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and report it. Have your bank account number and routing number ready. Social Security can check whether the payment was sent and investigate if it was lost.