COVID-19, General, Guest Bloggers

Get All Your Federal Benefit Payments in One Account Using Direct Payment

September 3, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

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.

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About the Author

Joanne Gasparini, Associate Commissioner of the Office of Financial Policy and Operations

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Comments

  1. About C.

    Very good, 100% agree.

  2. Perley A.

    I have a chime card, is it better for me to receive my check onto it than Direct Express????

  3. Nilda M.

    Ok gracias
    Puede depositar mis ayudas a las cuales tengo derecho a mi banco
    BB&T en Asheboro, NC 27203
    GRACIAS

  4. Nilda M.

    Ok gracias
    Cualquier depósito puede enviar cheque a mi dirección postal y residencial que es la misma
    Mi dirección es,
    945 S Church St Apt 106 Asheboro, NC 27203
    THANKS

  5. Cheryl M.

    i received a phone call about 2 weeks ago, leaving a message that there was a problem and someone had taken my SS number, etc. I should get a NEW card, but, to know that I would not receive any checks due me. I reported it, but, of course, never heard back. I just had a problem at the beginning of this year with not receiving checks because my old bank would not release them due to my not knowing my personal routing number. I reported this again. I finally got some back pay plus one check on time. Now, no checks, again. I want direct deposit, please, if this will clear up!

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Cheryl. 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.

  6. DEBBIE

    OMG….DIRECT EXPRESS IS THE MOST UN-RELIABLE PLACE TO DO ANY BUSINESS WITH,I DO NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE!!

  7. CAREY L.

    I have not received any of my check from the first checks that were sent out ,if you did send it I haven’t received it yet.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Carey, thanks for using our blog. If you did not receive your Social Security or SSI benefit, please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine if your direct deposit failed. If you still need to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, 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.

  8. Kenneth G.

    The SSA knows nothing about EIA payments per SSA customer help line states do not call social security about economic impact payments and you will have to find out from the IRS at it’s.gov…

  9. carmella v.

    i have been using direct deposit for ss for many years and it is very safe convenient. i also have my united healthcare deducted every month. these are very easy and convenient. direct deposit is the best way to go.

  10. Shahnaaz k.

    Hello. SSI taking away $443.00 a month for Medicare from my social security income. How can I live with out income. It’s hard to pay for health care Medicare $443 a month.

    • Prc

      You must be m making a LOT of money to be charged $443 a month for Medicare part B although that is not a valid number for 2020. If you are single and made between $163,000 and $500,000 in 2018, your monthly cost is $462.70.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Shahnaaz. You may want to apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $5,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. In addition to the Extra Help, you may be able to get help from your State with other Medicare costs under the Medicare Savings Programs. By completing the Extra Help application, you will start your application process for a Medicare Savings Program. We will send information to your State who will contact you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program unless you tell us not to when you complete the application.

      If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Prescription Drug plans or how to enroll in a plan, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. You also can request information about how to contact your State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP). The SHIP offers help with your Medicare questions. We hope this helps.

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