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Direct Deposit: A Fast, Convenient, and Secure Way to Receive Your Benefit Payments

February 12, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: February 11, 2021

couple reviewing direct deposit options on their laptopAt 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.

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  1. Bruce E.

    can you deposit social security check into a living trust account?

    • Vonda

      Hi Bruce, thanks for using our blog. Currently our system allows direct deposit only to a single account, at a financial institution (e.g. checking account, savings account, or prepaid card account). However, you may preauthorize your financial institution to transfer funds into your other bank accounts.

  2. Ronald K.

    Why are we the last of the people receiving there stimulus money. When we as veterans should have been some of the ones to get there’s first we are struggling to keep ourselves above water just like everyone else. Can you explain that.

  3. Laura A.

    Where our third stimulus payment? Why should we be last when we need the money the most. Get the info to the irs asap.

  4. Gilda R.

    I will be 66 soon. I want to retire at 66, 2 mths for Full Ret Age (FRA)
    1. How soon can I get an estimate of SS and how?
    2. How soon can I apply for ss benefits — when I reach FRA? or by my birthdate?
    3. When will I receive my first ss check if I apply on time??
    4. If I am divorced (20 year marrige) and single now; will I be able to coordinate ss payments with my Xhusband?? I have 11 years of substantial earnings and contributions to ss.
    5. I will continue working under STRS; however I do not plan to retire until later. I do understand the Windfall formula applies to me but not until I resign under STRS. Is it correct to assume that the Windfall applies when I resign from STRS teacher employment??
    6. I am inactive under PERS and plan to retire concurrently with STRS in the future. Is there any requirement that I must retire from PERS for my ss contributions to start at FRA?
    Thank you.

    • Vonda

      Hi Gilda, thank you for the question. A non-covered pension, a pension based on work that is not covered by Social Security (for example, Federal civil service and some State or local government agencies such as police officers and some teachers), may cause the amount of your Social Security benefit to be reduced. Your benefit can be reduced based on one of two provisions: The Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. See our Information for Government Employees web page for details.

      Your full retirement age is determined by your year of birth. You can check out our Benefits By Year Of Birth web page to understand why some people have different full retirement ages and what those ages are.

      Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, if you want your benefits to begin with July, you will receive your first benefit payment in August. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars useful.

      Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. When you’re ready to apply, you can apply online.

      If you are unable or would rather not apply online, 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. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  5. James M.

    Found disabled June 2020 received first Economic 1200 still no 600. I filed 2019 and 2020 taxes 2021 Feb. 12th. Wife received only 1200 how can we inform IRS that we both receive SSI on Direct Express and still no stimulus payment. Direct Express customer service is useless. We are both disabled can you help? Sincerely J Shook

  6. James M.

    I applied for my retirement benefits and was approved on March 9th of this year. My 62nd birthday was Feb., 16, 2021. I signed up for direct deposit, and a transaction from SS TREAS in the amount of $0.00 was posted to my checking account on 03/11. With Wednesday, March 17TH being the third Wed. of the month, and the first month after my 62nd birthday, why have I not received the $995 benefit in March?

    • Vonda

      Hi James, thanks for using our blog. The minimum age for Social Security retirement benefits is 62. To begin receiving reduced retirement benefits at 62, you are required to be age 62 for the entire month. For SSA purposes, individuals born on the first or second day of the month are considered age 62 for the “full” month and could be entitled to benefits for the month of their 62nd birthday. However, if born on the 3rd or later, you must wait a month. If you’re 62 on February 16, you’re eligible for Social Security retirement benefits beginning in March. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, if you want your benefits to begin with March, you will receive your first benefit payment in April. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars useful.

  7. MARY K.

    I will turn 66 yrs and 2 mo on Nov 3, 2021. Since my disability 2 yrs after my husband died, I received a percentage of his disability amount paid just months before his death in 2010.
    I am still not even receiving that amount more than 10 yrs later.
    Will I get an increase when I reach full retirement age this fall? I have no children or family to help. I’m very much on my own. Prices keep rising, and I can no longer keep up. I need help!

    • Vonda

      Hi Mary, thanks for using our blog. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries become full retirement age. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits on one earnings record at the same time. However, if you’re receiving disabled widow’s benefits on your deceased husband’s record, and never collected on your own record, you may be able to switch to your own retirement benefit, if it’s advantageous to do so. To inquire about potential benefits, 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.

  8. Alan M.

    The most secure way to get your benefits is to receive them electronically.
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