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Reviewed July 31, 2026

Update Social Security direct deposit

Change bank information through an official Social Security channel and keep the old account open until payments reach the new one.

Direct answer

Sign in to your personal my Social Security account and use SSA’s direct-deposit task. If the task cannot complete your change, follow the next steps SSA displays. A participating bank may also submit the update through SSA’s Automated Enrollment process.

Open SSA direct-deposit instructions

Who this procedure is for

This federal procedure is for a beneficiary or authorized representative payee changing the account used for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. It does not change direct deposit for VA benefits, tax refunds, unemployment, or another agency.

Steps

  1. Open SSA’s official direct-deposit page and sign in through the link provided there.
  2. Review the benefit and payment information shown in the secure SSA service.
  3. Enter the requested routing and account information only in the official service. WhatDoIFile does not collect it.
  4. If SSA says the change is not available online for your benefit type, use the appointment or contact instructions on that page.
  5. Ask your financial institution whether it participates in SSA Automated Enrollment if you prefer the bank-assisted route.
  6. Keep the existing account open until you confirm that a payment has reached the new account.

What to have ready

  • Access to the beneficiary’s personal my Social Security account, when using the online route.
  • The routing number, account number, and account type for the receiving account.
  • The existing account information so you can verify that the correct payment record is changing.

SSI and other special cases

Online availability is not identical for every benefit. SSA publishes separate reporting instructions for SSI recipients, including how to report a bank-account change. People outside the United States, its territories, or commonwealths may need to contact a Federal Benefits Unit.

Protect the payment

Start from SSA.gov, not from an unexpected link or caller. Do not send bank numbers by email or enter them on this independent guide. If a change appears that you did not request, contact SSA and your financial institution promptly through their official channels.

Official sources

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