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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wong,Lawrenc(563-435611)
Sir,Ilosmy newpassordpleasehelpme togetintomyaccount
Ann C.
Hi. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We offer a few different ways to reset your password. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
GEORGE G.
WITH DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH SS OFFICE AND CHANGE THE ROUTING OF THE DIRECT DEPOSIT FOR MY PARENTS?
Ann C.
Hi, George. Because of privacy and security concerns, Social Security cannot speak to you about your parents’ benefits. If your parents are not capable of managing and directing their Social Security benefits, someone should consider applying to be their representative payee. Even though you are power of attorney, you, or someone else, would still need to apply to serve as their payee. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, “A Guide for Representative Payees” and visit the web page. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to request an appointment. We hope this information helps.
kIM S.
HOW DO i CHANGE MY BANK ACCOUNT # WITH SSI
Ann C.
Hi, Kim. Thanks for your question. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security account to change your banking information online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local office immediately. We hope this helps.
Margaret M.
Is it possible to have more than one bank account to use for my direct deposit? I currently have DD into my checking account, but would like to have a percentage of it moved to another separate bank account.
Thank you
Mike
I will say that if I choose right or wrong by the valid information given on the mysocialsecurity website, they are wrong.
Choose help, once signed in. Look up “update direct deposit”. Article says, go into profile and click update direct deposit. Liars. There is no such thing. In order to update your direct deposit, you have to go grab a number and sit in their crowded lobbies for some moron to do their job of updating the info and wait 19 days only to find out that they didn’t update your information. So now I’m guessing I have to do it all over again and wait another month for them to get it right.
David G.
Excellent document, Very clear.
Derlene A.
I have been trying to change the bank routing number on my monthly SS deposits. This number will change on May 18 so the first payment to use the new number is on June 1, 2019. Your site only allows a change to be made in July at the earliest. How do I manage this?
Vonda V.
Hi Derlene. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To inquire about changing your direct deposit earlier, you will need to contact your local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Stephen D.
please send change of address form and
change of direct deposit information to me. I am acting for my mother, Inez Pendergrast whose social security number is *** – ** – ***. She has recently moved from New Rockford North Dakota to a retirement community in Westminster, Colorado. I don’t think she set up an on-line account, as she no longer has a computer.
R. B.
I need to change my direct deposit from institution to another. How do I do this ?
Vonda V.
Hi R. Brian. Thanks for the question. If you’re receiving Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability), you can start or update your direct deposit information by using your personal my Social Security account.
If receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or unable to conduct business online, you can start or update your direct deposit by contacting the bank, credit union, or savings and loan association or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Click on our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information.
Ayesha
I will be 41 this month, i applied for disability in 2015 i got denial in 2016 i received letter of denial and apeal option in 2018, my attorney is not in touch since first medical exam. Kindly guide me i am highly diabetic, cyst in brain syncope and seizures i have asthma
I am not able to walk properly neither i could get back to work yet, i suddenly faint, anxiety attacks, panic attacks started since 2016 i am homeless. Borrowing shelter from friends. But eveeyone on earth hates sick disable non-working people. I could not open my social security account online website sats its blocked. Kindly advice. I will be very grateful. I am so stressed and breathless.
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