Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Online Banking
    Beginner
    4 min read 5 stepsMay 3, 2026Verified May 2026

    How to Set Up or Change Your Social Security Direct Deposit

    Set up, change, or verify your Social Security direct deposit online or by phone — step-by-step with official SSA instructions.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Online Banking
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    4 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    Social Security
    direct deposit
    SSA
    benefits

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Gather your bank information
    2. 2.Option 1: Make the change online through my Social Security
    3. 3.Option 2: Call the SSA
    4. 4.Option 3: Visit your local SSA office
    5. 5.Confirm the first deposit in your new account
    1

    Gather your bank information

    ~16s
    Before starting, write down your bank's 9-digit routing number and your full account number. Both are printed on the bottom of a personal check, or you can find them in your bank's app under "Account Details." Know whether you want the deposit in your checking or savings account.
    2

    Option 1: Make the change online through my Social Security

    ~29s
    Go to ssa.gov and click "Sign In" or "Create an Account." You will need your email address, a phone number for verification, and your Social Security Number. Once logged in, go to "Update Direct Deposit" under the Benefits & Payments section. Enter your bank routing number, account number, and account type.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If you create a my Social Security account for the first time, identity verification may ask you to confirm information from your credit file. This is a routine security step.

    3

    Option 2: Call the SSA

    ~16s
    Call 1-800-772-1213. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Tell the representative you want to update your direct deposit information. Have your routing number and account number ready. The representative will also verify your identity before making the change.
    4

    Option 3: Visit your local SSA office

    ~15s
    Find your nearest office at secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. Bring a photo ID (driver's license or passport) and a voided check or a letter from your bank showing your routing and account number. A staff member will process the change while you wait.
    5

    Confirm the first deposit in your new account

    ~26s
    After requesting the change, allow 1-2 payment cycles (up to 60 days) for it to take effect. Log into your bank account on your scheduled payment date (SSA pays on specific Wednesdays based on your birth date) to confirm the deposit arrived. If it does not arrive, call the SSA before assuming anything is wrong.

    Warning

    Do not close your old bank account until you have confirmed at least one Social Security payment arrived successfully in the new account.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: How to Set Up or Change Your Social Security Direct Deposit

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    If you receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, the SSA strongly encourages direct deposit. Direct deposit puts your payment in your account on the payment date, even on weekends, and eliminates the risk of a check being lost, stolen, or delayed in the mail.

    More than 99% of Social Security payments are already made by direct deposit. If you are still receiving a paper check, switching to direct deposit is a wise move.

    You can set up or change your direct deposit in three ways: online through your free "my Social Security" account at ssa.gov, by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting your local Social Security office.

    To make the change, you will need your bank's routing number and your account number (found on a personal check or in your bank's app).

    Changes to your direct deposit information usually take 30-60 days to process. During that transition period, you may still receive a paper check while the SSA updates your records. Do not close your old bank account until the first deposit arrives in your new account.

    Be cautious of anyone who contacts you claiming to be from Social Security and asking for your banking information. The real SSA will never call you unsolicited and ask for your bank account numbers. If you receive such a call, hang up and call the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213.

    (Source: Social Security Administration, ssa.gov/deposit)

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    Social Security
    direct deposit
    SSA
    benefits

    ← Previous

    How to Close an Old Bank Account Safely

    Next →

    Best Smartphones for Seniors in 2026

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    How to Set Up Online Banking for the First Time

    Setting up online banking lets you check your balance, pay bills, and transfer money from home.

    5 min read

    How to Deposit a Check with Your Phone Using Mobile Check Deposit

    Mobile check deposit lets you add a check to your bank account by taking a photo with your phone.

    5 min read

    How to Keep Your Bank App and Online Account Safe

    Your bank app holds sensitive financial information. These practical steps help you protect your account from fraud, phishing, and unauthorized access.

    5 min read