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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Patricia P.
I opened up new checking account and need my social security check put in it. The other checking account is still open that it is deposited in now, But would like it transferred to the new account.
L.A.
Hi Patricia. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security account to change your direct deposit online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local office immediately. We hope this helps.
Rebecca G.
I changed my direct deposit early enough and last month, September it went into the correct account. This month it did not. I went to the office and they updated it as of today October 3,2019. The old bank said it was on it’s way back to Social Security today. Can you tell me what will happen next? Will the check come back to the right account in a few days? I’m very concerned. My rent will be late and I will be assessed a late fee as of October 4th, then an additional fee for every day it is not recieved after that. Can I get something to give to my landlord that states it was an error?
A.C.
Hi, Rebecca. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
MARSHA L.
Extremely difficult to maneuver thru this website. Don’t recall setting up an account. When I tried msg was couldn’t match up information. What information? I entered by SS#, it asked questions about whats on my credit report. An explanation is needed. How many of us can answer 10 questions about what’s on a credit report. We need to change our bank for electronic payments, a form s/b available here even if it has to be hand-delivered to the SS Admin office..
A.C.
Hi, Marsha. We are sorry for your frustration. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are still unable to create 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.
William K.
EVERYTIME I use My Social Security I have to reset my password. Then it claim I used to many attemps and locks me out. The retirement calculator claims I have no work history after 45 years.
L.A.
Hi William. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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
Brenda H.
Needing a great friends ss# he is deceased and he allowed me to receive a mutual of Omaha policy and among other things but to access it from them I need his ss# (((Thomas Warren )))) a military veteran and a very missed freind.please help me .I’m a mother of a mute autistic daughter and I am terrible at the internet
L.A.
Hi Brenda. We’re sorry, but we do not have access to that information in this forum. To obtain your friend’s social security number, you can make your request online or in writing by visiting here. Hope this helps.
Sally J.
I cannot enter my updated address. I put the address in and it won’t take my new address.
L.A.
Hi Sally. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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
Norman B.
i want to change my direct deposit bank to a new bank and it seems impossible.
L.A.
Hi Norman. You can change your direct deposit information by using your personal my Social Security account. If you still do not have a personal my Social Security account, you may find more information about how to open one here. with your personal my Social Security account, you can also get immediate proof that you have Medicare coverage, print a benefits or award letter, and many other services. If you still need help, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-(TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm. We hope this helps.
John D.
I need a change of direct deposit form
Amelia g.
Tengo retraso en el pago de septiembre soy sobreviviente pero vivo fuera de los estados unidos que puedo hacer
James G.
I live outside the US and want to create a MY SSA ACCOUNT but it says you have to live in the US. Why can’t people who are already collecting benefits but are living outside the US start an my SSA account.
L.A.
Hi James. You are correct. At this time, we cannot offer access to the my Social Security account outside of the US. However, you may contact your local Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) to discuss your options. We hope this helps.