Direct deposit is the safest and most convenient way to receive your benefit payment. In 2013, the Department of the Treasury issued a mandate to move away from checks as a method to deliver federal benefit payments. Since then, almost 99 percent of our Social Security beneficiaries have their payments deposited directly into their bank accounts. We need to increase this number to 100 percent.

Some beneficiaries have not enrolled.  Others receive more than one federal payment, but don’t get all their benefits via direct deposit. In these times, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to know that your payments are there when you expect them. If you receive more than one federal benefit, but don’t have all your payments directly deposited, you may want to consider enrolling. Here are some reasons why:

• It is safer to use and less costly.
• Your benefit payment will be on time, every time, and ready to use.
• You’ll be free of the hassles or delays with paper checks.
• You won’t need to leave the comfort of your home to cash a check again.
• It’s easy to enroll, change, or update your direct deposit information.

You can sign up for direct deposit with Social Security from your preferred location using your personal my Social Security account. If you don’t have a personal account, you can create one today. Once you create your account, you can add your bank information to start your direct deposit. You can make changes to your information any time through your personal account.

Another way to start or change your direct deposit is by calling us toll free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

We want to put you in control of your benefits while providing the best experience and service, no matter where, when, or how you decide to do business with us.

Tags: COVID-19, my Social Security, my Social Security account