Direct Deposit: A Fast, Convenient, and Secure Way to Receive Your Benefit Payments
At Social Security and Veterans Affairs, issuing timely benefit payments is a core service we both provide. After all, we know you want your benefits on time to cover your household or medical expenses. The most secure way to get your benefits is to receive them electronically. It’s faster, safer, and more convenient than a paper check.
More than 98 percent of individuals receive their monthly benefit payments electronically—either by direct deposit or on their Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®. They don’t have to wait for a check to arrive in the mail and go to a bank or other location to cash it. Instead, their monthly benefits are deposited into their bank account or debit card automatically on the payment date.
We encourage everyone to sign up for direct deposit or the Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®. You can learn more about direct deposit on Social Security’s Direct Deposit webpage. Please share this information with your friends and family—and also on social media.
Tags: online services, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, social security disability benefits, veterans
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Joanne R. Gasparini, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Social Security Administration, and Charles S. Tapp II, Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration
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Gloria Burchfield
My brother and his wife passed away on Nov. 08, 2020. Their soc. sec. payments were auto deposited to their bank account on Nov. 25, 2020. Do those payments need to be returned to Soc. Sec.? Or are those payments from October? I am administrator of their affairs.
Thank you
Vonda
We are very sorry for your loss, Gloria. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit payment, a person has to live throughout the entire month. We can’t pay benefits for the month of death. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. Keep in mind that Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. Your brother and his wife passed away in November, so you must return any benefits paid in December and continuing.
Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Check out our Factsheet on How Social Security Can Help When a Family Member Dies.
Mickey Kaye Mann
Yes,is online inquiry vietnam veterans only the socialsecurity mentioned online today in inquiry are just veterans or is social payments mention for clients and veterans at the same time you apply.
Charlotte West
I have been trying to contact ssa for over a week regarding my direct deposit. There is a problem that I need fixed prior to my check due on the third.
Vonda
Hi Charlotte, thanks for using our blog. You can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Karin Malzan Phifer
I have been waiting since last Wednesday for my first deposit. I can’t get through to the Hoquiam office via phone. What can I do?
Vonda
Hi Karin, thank you for using our blog. The birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
Date of Birth Payment Day:
1st through 10th Second Wednesday
11th through 20th Third Wednesday
21st through 31st Fourth Wednesday
Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the payment dates.
If you do not receive your Social Security or SSI benefit, please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine if your direct deposit failed. If you still need to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Nanci Herrman
I am a victim of id theft and fraud I have been
waiting for all my benefits I do not have a 3rd party or repetitive nor had ever I am able to handle all my financial affairs , i have not received my Direct Express card even though Ive asked for it and sign online for it . how can i get help someone may have hacked in my computer. please help me still no Stimulus check
Vonda
Hi Nanci, thanks for using our blog. Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. Visit http://www.identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on what you can do if you think someone is using your Social Security number.
Manuela Cismaru
Hello,
My grandmother lives in Romania for over 20 years now and I guess she did not fill out questionares she was suppose to because she has never updated her address and now her ssi her stopped. I handle her account and my aunt’s and I really need her ssi to start back up so I can pay for her nursing home. I was told that she has to call the embassy in Romania to get it started again and she did but, was told they can’t help that some forms need to be filled. How can I get those forms so she can get them done.
Thank you
Vonda
Hi Manuela. Because of privacy and security concerns, you will not be able to conduct Social Security business on behalf of your grandmother unless you are her representative payee. Having a power of attorney, being an authorized representative, or having a joint bank account with your grandmother does not authorize you to access information on her Social Security record. If she does not have a representative payee and is not capable of managing and directing her Social Security benefits, someone should consider applying to be her payee. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, “A Guide for Representative Payees” or visit our Representative Payee webpage.
To apply to be your grandmother’s representative payee, you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
If your grandmother is capable of handling her Social Security affairs, then she should continue working with the nearest Federal Benefit Unit in the area.
Cathy Bates
I have also been reciecing my benefits through Direct Express over the last 4 years. Things have been fine until recently, when my account was hacked. It’s been impossible to get a customer service person on the phone to help me. My calls keep getting dropped, even after being put on hold for hours. It’s really ridiculous that such a company with a poor customer service attitude will be in charge of a card for seniors and disability. I am not alone. See all the complaints here – https://directexpresshelp.com/us-direct-express-customer-service/. Social Security needs to do something about it.
Felicia Michele McNeil
I did not authorize Rep payee. I am verifiable. Rep payee is crime. Recipient Felicia Michele McNeil.
Katlynn Zemlak
yes it is good at some friv point but the system of Direct Deposit will slower than online system, don’t you think?