Fight Procrastination by Changing Your Direct Deposit Early
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
September 6 is National Fight Procrastination Day. With our busy lives, it is easy to fall into that cycle of constantly postponing some tasks because of other things we need to address right now. This may be true for you when it comes to changing your payment method for Social Security benefits. Unfortunately, procrastinating on reporting changes can lead to delayed payments, resulting in undue hardship with bills and living expenses. Ultimately, it’s less hassle — and less stressful — if you report a direct deposit change as soon as it occurs.
How can you change your direct deposit information with Social Security? The most convenient way is by creating a personal my Social Security account. Once you create your account, you can update your bank information without leaving the comfort of your home. Another way to change your direct deposit is by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to make the change over the phone. If you prefer to speak to someone in-person, you can visit your local Social Security office with the necessary information.
What exactly will Social Security need to make the direct deposit change? Because we are committed to protecting your personal information, we need some form of identification to verify who you are. If you are online, we verified your identity when you initially created your personal my Social Security account. All you need to do is log in with your secure username and password to gain instant access to your information.
If you call Social Security, we will ask identifying questions to ensure we are speaking to the right person. If you visit the office, you will need to bring a driver’s license or some form of ID with you. Once we have identified you are the correct person and are authorized to make changes on the Social Security record, all we need is the routing number, account number, and type of account established. We don’t ask for a voided check, nor do we obtain verification from the bank. Therefore, you should be sure you are providing accurate information to us.
The day of the month you report the direct deposit change makes all the difference. Though the exact date varies each month, generally, you will need to report changes by the 15th to see the effect on the next check. When the 15th falls on the weekend or a holiday, the cutoff is usually the previous business day. For example, if you switched banks or have a new account in September, you will need to provide the new information to Social Security by September 14 to receive your next payment in the new account. If you don’t report this change to us until September 28, your next payment will go into the old account.
Because you may be unsure if your direct deposit change will affect your next payment, we highly recommend that you do not close the old bank account until you have seen your first Social Security deposit in the new bank account. That way, you can feel secure you will receive your benefits on time, regardless of when the change was reported to Social Security. Waiting until you see the deposit in your new account also gives you the extra peace of mind that we processed the change correctly.
The first step in fighting procrastination is increased awareness. Knowing how easy it is to report a direct deposit change, what information to report, and when, can encourage you to get in touch with Social Security at the earliest possible moment. In addition, making sure we know about a change early ensures we help make the transition as smooth as possible.
When you have to report changes, be sure to contact us or visit us online. Social Security always strives to put you in control by providing the best experience and service no matter where, when, or how you decide to do business with us.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Dede
We recently went to SS website to change direct deposit information. It says it can’t change for 3 months! If I call SS can this happen sooner?
Herschel D.
It was my understanding that anyone on Social Security would receive the $600.00 stimulus check. I have not received mine, however my wife did receive hers. WE file our taxes jointly. Any idea why I did not receive mine.
V.V.
Hi Herschel, thanks for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not Social Security, issues the Economic Income Payments. Social Security cannot answer EIP questions about your specific situation. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Gerald M.
I received my first stimulus check in Kentucky in March 2020. I moved to Illinois and changed my address and banking information with Social Security in October 2020. My second stimulus check showed it was deposited into my closed account in Kentucky. The iRS website says that I can’t change my address or banking information. It also states i will get the 2nd stimulus check deposited the same way my Social Security check is deposited which I changed when I moved. I don’t have to file any income tax since I’ve been on Social Security for several years. What can I do?
S.D.
Hi, Gerald. Thanks for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not Social Security, issues the Economic Income Payments. Social Security cannot answer EIP questions about your specific situation. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Mac O.
I am in the same boat as you Gerald, and it looks like we will have to file taxes (yes I know that most of us don’t even file taxes but now we will have to) so one more thing to add to the list to worry about. Take care.
sandra h.
want to change my auto social security deposit to another bank.
V.V.
Hi Sandra, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to sign up or change direct deposit. We hope this helps!
MisUnderstood
I updated in oct 2020 online & got confirmation that the scheduled update will be Nov 3, 2020 well Nov 3rd came around & NO UPDATE NOR PAYMENT for that month it went to my old bank account i shared with someone contacted ss about it an they said as long as the bank doesnt send it back there is NOTHING they can do. So they updated my bank information again this time over the phone well DEC 3rd STILL NO PAYMENT IN MY NEW ACCOUNT ONCE AGAIN THAT PAYMENT ALSO WENT TO THE OLD ACCOUNT ! I called ss for weeks to track the payment they kept giving me the RUN AROUNDS till the last day to track payment ONCE AGAIN THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TILL THE BANK SENDS THE CHECK BACK & THEY HAVENT BECAUSE IT WAS AN ACCOUNT I JUST SHARED WITH SOMEONE AT THE TIME & NOW HAVE NO ACCESS TO . SO AS OF NOW THATS 2 PAYMENTS NEVER REVIEVED PLUS I AM ALSO THE BENEFICIARY FOR SOMEONE WHO NEVER GOT THERE PAYMENT’S EITHER & ALL SS HAS 2 SAY IS O WELL CALL THE OLD BANK (FYI ITS NOT THE BANKS FAULT ITS THE SS FAULT BC I HAVE PICTURES OF MY ONLINE ACCOUNT THE DAY IT CONFIRMED THE UPDATE & GAVE ME A SCHEDULED DATE OF WHEN THE UPDATE WAA GOING TO TAKE PLACE) BUT OF COURSE YOU HAVE 2 SIT ON HOLD FOR 3 HOURS JUST TO GET A WOMAN WITH A SNOTY ATTITUDE FROM JUMP BEFORE YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHAT YOU NEED HELP WITH BY THEN WHEN YOU FINALLY GET 2 EXPLAIN YOUR SO AGGRAVATED & FRUSTRATED DUE TO 2MONTHS OF MISSING PAYMENTS YOU LIVE OFF OF YOU DONT EVEN WANT TO DEAL WITH THE SNOTY ATTITUDE FROM THE AGENT BUT YOU HAVE TO ANYWAY BUT FOR WHAT THOUGH JUST TO GET TOLD CONTACT THE BANK & WHEN YOU GO TO EXPLAIN ITS NOT THE BANKS FAULT AN EXPLAIN WHY AN YOU CONTACTED THE BANK SEVERAL TIMES & YOUR AT THE BANK PRESENTLY YOU GET HUNG UP ON AFTER SITTING ON HOLD PATIENTLY FOR 3 HOURS & TALKING TO AN AGENT ONLY 10MINUTES !
WHAT DO YOU DO THEN ?
WHEN YOU LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME & DONT RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENTS FOR 2 MONTHS DUE TO THERE MESS UP BUT YOUR FACEING EVICTION FOR NON PAYMENT OF RENT DURING THOSE 2MONTHS & DISCONNECT NOTICE FOR ELECTRICITY & YOU HAVE CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH YOU & DEPEND ON YOU ! !
Marlene b.
Need to change my direct deposit account number
ranuka j.
your post is a very nice Weizmann Forex Multi Currency Card
Lance
This info must no longer be valid as when I try to change my direct deposit bank it says would you like this change to take place for your Feb. Or March payment. This is way beyond what the article shows. However I am curious now if its always this much of a delay or if it’s because of a new year. I was only changing accounts because the new bank was offering a $75 bonus however now I will not be able to make it take place due to these extended delays as the acct. must be created by dec. 31 with a direct deposit pmt within 45 days.
V.V.
Hi Lance, thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office. 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.
Chris
Seeing the same thing, it is Dec. 13th but already the changes can’t be made effective before February, which is like 45 days out! Really feel sorry if someone just closed their bank account, this is way too much advance notice needed!
Marlene s.
Need to change my direct deposit account number.
Chris
I am in Ohio and mine was done quickly and I got the $75 bonus I know what you’re talking about there so I don’t know if it’s the state or if you’re talking to the wrong person but that does not sound like it should be happening that way
Mac O.
Same thing happened to me Lance! Really messed me up now too since Social Security talked me into the Direct Express Card only to find out that I now get my check almost a week LATER than I was getting it on my other account card.
I put in the direct deposit information for my NEW card account on December 7th, 2020, yet this month (for a 4th Wednesday check payday), I was just told that my check is STILL going on the Direct Express card!
I am honestly So annoyed at this point since I ALSO found out that this new stimulus money (the 2nd round) will NOT go to Direct Express accounts either! I don’t normally even file taxes but now have to do so just to get the stimulus money!
I desperately need it after having FIVE surgeries in a 12 month period. By the time my “next month” check is deposited, I will have waited IVER TWO AND A HALF MONTHS JUST FOR MEW DIRECT DEPOSIT INFO.! That’s not reasonable or acceptable!