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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Lance
Is it true still If I request a direct deposit change by the 15th of December my next ssd check will go to the new bank Jan. 3 when I normally get paid? This is what the article on your site says but it’s from 2018.
V.V.
Hi Lance, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page at for details on how to sign up or change your direct deposit.
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.
Peggy J.
How do I change my banking information for direct deposit
Thank you
V.V.
Hi Peggy, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to add or change direct deposit. We hope this helps!
Helen C.
I changed my direct deposit in October 2020 and received my Social Security check for November at the old account. I just received a notification from Social Security that it could take one to two months for this change to take effect, so I should not close the old account. I did so last week, assuming that it was a done deal after I checked the online site and saw that the address had been changed. What will happen to my check if it goes to the wrong bank in December???
V.V.
Hi Helen, thanks for using our blog. If you do not receive your Social Security or SSI benefit because your bank account is closed, you will need to 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.
Cersei W.
Hi I am on SSDI and preferred to work detail time What is the cap on how loads I can earn consistent with month, and could this have an effect on my advantage amount I get every month? I need to make sure that through me operating it doesn’t lessen my gain amount. Thank you.
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Kathy A.
you keep suspending me I need to change this. How can I do it.
V.V.
Hi Kathy, thanks for using our blog. 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 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.
Pamela G.
Called SSA Automan tells e to call a Representative between 7 am and 7 pm Monday through Friday That is
Exactly what I am doing. I do not have internet. I need to change my bank account number for deposits from social security what do I do
V.V.
Hi Pamela, thanks for using our blog. 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.
carl c.
i need a paper form to change my direct deposit-i don’t have a computer
V.V.
Hi Carl, thanks for using our blog. If you are unable to change your direct deposit 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.
Daniel D.
I’m not doing business with you on line you can take me out of the paper work reduction program.
The federal government has made me perfectly aware of there wrong doing as garbs that program goes . Under this administration this program will never have
Daniel D.
If tried to work with you. You never intended for me to defend myself billy Bob bar had his mind made up long before you spent over a million dollars . On a investigation that has had drones closely watching me. Moved people in to my neighborhood to monitory communications . You have gone to great lengths to keep me from attorneys. Well I’m not your puppet. I’m going to the media let’s tell thebpeople what’s been going on let them decide if that’s how they want the privacy rights decided so long . Maybe Trump will be the next one to have his life destriod by this legislation
Harvey
Wow. That’s great! Thank you for sharing, I’ve seen more info at https://is.gd/Hr17CU
Mary A.
I need to change my bank account number
V.V.
Hi Mary Ann, 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!
LESTER F.
need to change direct deposit
V.V.
Hi Lester, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to add or change direct deposit. We hope this helps!