How to Change Where Your Social Security Payments Go

You can change your direct deposit through my Social Security, by phone, or in person at a local office

Social Security payments go to whatever bank account or prepaid card you set up when you first claimed benefits. If you want to move those payments to a different account — because you switched banks, opened a new account, or need to redirect payments to someone else — you have three ways to do it. The fastest is online through your my Social Security account. If you do not have that set up, you can call Social Security or visit an office in person. Changes usually take one to three business days to process, though some banks hold the first deposit for verification.

You will need your bank's routing number and your new account number. If you are changing to a prepaid card or a card issued by your state (for unemployment, TANF, or other benefits), you will need those account details instead. Social Security does not charge you to make this change, and you can update your direct deposit as many times as you need to.

Key Takeaways

• The my Social Security website is the fastest way to change direct deposit — you can do it in minutes and see the change take effect within one to three business days.
• You need your new bank's routing number and your account number; if you do not have these, your bank can provide them or you can find them on a check or bank statement.
• If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can call Social Security's main line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local office with proof of identity.
• The first deposit to a new account sometimes takes longer because banks verify the account before releasing funds — this is normal and does not mean the change failed.
• You can change your direct deposit as many times as you need; there is no limit on how often you can update your account information.

Changing direct deposit through my Social Security online

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address, Social Security number, and a few details to verify your identity. Once you are signed in, look for the "Payment Information" or "Direct Deposit" section — the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created, but it will be clearly labeled.

Click on the option to change your direct deposit. You will be asked to enter your new bank's routing number and your account number. Double-check both before you submit — a wrong routing number or account number will send your payment to the wrong place, and it can take weeks to recover the money. After you submit the change, Social Security will show you a confirmation screen with the new account information. Write down or screenshot this confirmation in case you need to reference it later.

The change takes effect within one to three business days. Your next payment will go to the new account. If you have a payment scheduled to arrive before the change processes, it will still go to your old account — Social Security cannot redirect a payment that is already in the system.

Changing direct deposit by phone

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY line at 1-800-325-0778. Have your new bank's routing number and account number ready before you call. The wait time varies depending on the time of day and how busy the office is, but calling early in the morning or mid-week usually means a shorter hold.

Tell the representative you want to change your direct deposit. They will ask you to verify your identity by providing your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Then they will ask for your new routing number and account number. The representative will read back the information to confirm it is correct before processing the change. Ask them to provide a confirmation number — write it down and keep it with your records.

The change takes effect within one to three business days, the same as online. If you do not receive a confirmation number or if the representative seems uncertain about the information, call back and speak to someone else to make sure the change was recorded correctly.

Changing direct deposit in person at a Social Security office

Visit your local Social Security office with a photo ID and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works). You can find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your new bank's routing number and account number written down so you do not have to rely on memory.

Tell the staff member you want to change your direct deposit. They will verify your identity, ask for your new account information, and process the change on the spot. You will receive a written confirmation with the new account details and the date the change takes effect. Keep this confirmation with your records.

Processing time is the same as online or by phone — one to three business days. Going in person is useful if you do not have internet access, if you are uncomfortable providing account information over the phone, or if you have already tried to change your direct deposit online or by phone and something went wrong.

What to do if your first deposit to a new account is delayed

When you change your direct deposit to a new account, your bank may hold the first deposit for one to five business days while they verify the account is real and belongs to you. This is a security measure banks use to prevent fraud, and it is normal. The money is not lost — it is just held temporarily. During this time, you can contact your bank to ask them to release the deposit early, though they are not required to do so.

If more than a week has passed and the deposit has not arrived in either your old account or your new account, contact Social Security to confirm the change went through. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Have your confirmation number ready if you have one. Social Security can check whether the payment was sent and to which account.

Finding your bank's routing number and account number

Your bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. Your account number is unique to your account. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account — the routing number comes first, then your account number. If you do not have checks, you can log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there.

You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to provide your routing number and account number. Have your account number or Social Security number ready so they can verify you are the account holder. Write down both numbers carefully — even one digit wrong will cause the payment to go to the wrong place.

Changing direct deposit to a prepaid card or state benefit card

If you want to receive your Social Security payment on a prepaid card or a card issued by your state (such as a card used for unemployment or TANF benefits), the process is the same — you still need a routing number and account number. These cards have both, just like a bank account. The routing number and account number are usually printed on the card itself or in the documentation that came with the card.

If you cannot find the routing and account numbers on your card or its paperwork, contact the card issuer's customer service line. They can provide both numbers and confirm the card is active and ready to receive deposits. Once you have the numbers, follow the same steps as you would for a bank account — use my Social Security, call Social Security, or visit an office in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a direct deposit change to go into effect?

Most changes take one to three business days. Your next scheduled payment will go to the new account once the change processes. If a payment is already scheduled to arrive before the change goes through, it will still go to your old account — Social Security cannot redirect payments that are already in the system.

What happens to my old direct deposit account after I change it?

Nothing happens automatically. Your old account will simply stop receiving Social Security deposits. If you have other payments set to go to that account (such as a pension or paycheck), they will continue unless you change those separately. You can close the old account whenever you want, but you do not have to.

Can I change my direct deposit if I have a representative payee?

If someone else is your representative payee — meaning they manage your benefits on your behalf — they may need to approve the change or make it themselves, depending on your situation. Contact Social Security to ask whether your payee's permission is required. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office.

What if I entered the wrong routing number or account number?

Contact Social Security right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office and explain the mistake. They can update your account information before the next payment is sent. If a payment has already gone to the wrong account, Social Security can help you contact that bank to recover the funds, though the process can take several weeks.

Do I need to notify my bank before changing my direct deposit with Social Security?

No, you do not need to tell your bank in advance. However, it is a good idea to make sure your new account is active and ready to receive deposits before you make the change with Social Security. If you are opening a brand new account, wait a day or two for the account to be fully set up before updating your direct deposit.