How to Set Up Direct Deposit for Social Security

If you've been approved for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you might be wondering what happens next and how you'll get your benefits. Your disability award letter will explain how much your benefits will be and when you can expect to be paid.

You'll receive your benefits electronically because the Social Security Administration (SSA) no longer sends checks in the mail. Instead, Social Security will deposit your payments directly into your bank account or onto a special debit card (called a Direct Express card). Here's what you need to know about how Social Security direct deposit works and how to set up or change your direct deposit information.

What Is Direct Deposit?

You can choose to have your monthly benefits deposited directly into your bank account (traditional direct deposit), or if you don't have a bank account or don't want to give your banking information to Social Security, you can opt to have your benefits sent to a Direct Express debit card.

There are some definite benefits to receiving your Social Security disability payments electronically—particularly when it's a direct deposit to your bank account rather than a Direct Express debit card. Direct deposit is:

• secure—you don't have to worry about a check being lost or stolen in the mail
• convenient—your payments are automatically put into your bank account or onto your Direct Express card
• easy—you won't have to stand in line to cash your check or pay any check-cashing fees
• fast—your benefits will be available to you at the start of the business day you're scheduled to receive payment, and
• reliable—if your payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, your benefits will be paid on the business day before.

What's the Direct Express Program?

The Direct Express card is like a debit card that you can use to access your funds if you don't have a bank account. Social Security will issue you a Direct Express card, and then each month, the SSA will add your monthly disability payments to the card on the day you're scheduled to receive your benefits.

You can use the Direct Express card like a debit card at any place that accepts MasterCard—just as you would a regular debit card. You can also use your Direct Express card to get cash back when you make a purchase or withdraw cash using an ATM (the ATM owner can charge a fee).

If you want to sign up for Direct Express instead of having your disability benefits directly deposited into your bank account, you can call Direct Express at 800-333-1795. You can sign up for free, and there's no monthly charge to use the card.

Be aware, however, that Social Security is ending the Direct Express call resolution center and will no longer provide technical support for people who run into issues with their DirectExpress cards.

How Do I Sign Up for Direct Deposit to My Bank Account?

There are several ways to set up direct deposit for your Social Security benefits. You can sign up for direct deposit when you apply for Social Security disability benefits. And note that the SSA will no longer offer a temporary check option when processing initial claims.

If you've already applied or been approved for benefits, you can set up direct deposit:

• in person, by filling out a direct deposit form:
• at your bank or credit union
• at your local Social Security office
• online:
• by creating or logging into your My Social Security account
• on the Treasury Department's GoDirect page
• by calling:
• Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778), or
• the Department of the Treasury at 800-874-6347 or 800-333-1795.

No matter how you set up direct deposit for your disability benefits, you'll need to give Social Security the following:

• the routing number for your bank or credit union
• your account number, and
• the type of account (checking or savings).

If you set up direct deposit in your local Social Security office, you might also need a cancelled check.

How to Set Up My Social Security Direct Deposit Online

To sign up for direct deposit on Social Security's website, log into your "My Social Security" account and follow these steps:

1. Click the Benefits & Payments Details link.
2. Scroll down the list of options and click on "Update Direct Deposit."
3. Enter your bank account information (or make the necessary changes to your information).
4. Click "Next."
5. Review your bank information, including your account number, and make sure it's correct.
6. Click "Submit."
7. Click "Done."

Exceptions to the Direct Deposit Requirement

As of October 2025, the federal government has stopped sending out benefit payments by paper check to almost all beneficiaries, in accordance with Executive Order 14247. There is still a way to request an exemption from the electronic payment requirement, but the Treasury Department will be handling the exemption requests from now on and will only grant exceptions to disability recipients who:

• are 90 years old or older
• live in remote areas, or
• have a mental impairment that would make receiving an electronic check a hardship.

Those who qualify could file a waiver to continue receiving paper checks by calling the U.S. Treasury at 800-967-5042 or by filling out the waiver form at GoDirect.gov and mailing it to the address on the form.

How Long Does It Take for Social Security Direct Deposit?

Whether you sign up online, in person, or by phone, Social Security will send you a letter to let you know when your first direct deposit will arrive—usually within 30 to 60 days of setting up direct deposit. After that, your benefits will be deposited each month on your scheduled payment date.

Direct deposit ensures your Social Security payment is typically available at the start of the business day on your payment date. And because payment dates that fall on weekends or holidays are moved to the previous business day, you might have access to your money even sooner.

How to Change Your Direct Deposit for Social Security

To change your Direct deposit information, you can ask your bank to send a form with your updated direct deposit information to Social Security. Or you can update this information yourself by:

• calling Social Security at 800-772-1213
• visiting your local SSA office
• logging into your My Social Security account, or
• visiting the SSA's benefit management page.

No matter which method you use, you'll need the routing number and account number currently associated with your benefit payments, as well as your new bank account and routing number. If you live outside the United States, you'll need to use your My Social Security account or contact a Federal Benefits Unit.

It can take Social Security 30 to 60 days to begin depositing your benefits into your new bank account. Direct deposit changes made before the 15th of each month will affect your next disability payment. But changes made after the 15th won't take effect until the month after.

For example, if you change your direct deposit information on September 5, your next Social Security payment will be deposited into your new account. But if you don't report the change until September 20, your next disability payment (the one you receive in October) will be sent to your old bank account—the one after that (in November) will go to your new account.

Don't close your old account until after you start seeing Social Security deposits in your new account.

Getting Social Security Direct Deposits to an Electronic Transfer Account (ETA)

If you don't already have a bank account, some banks offer what's called an Electronic Transfer Account (ETA). ETAs were started by the federal government to make sure people who receive certain federal payments have a place where their money can be deposited directly.

There are specific guidelines an ETA must follow, including:

• charging a fee of no more than $3.00 per month, and
• allowing at least four cash withdrawals a month.

Some banks have ETAs that allow you to withdraw money from an ATM. For more information, speak to a bank or credit union that offers ETAs, as the terms can differ.

Can a Representative Payee Get Direct Deposit SSA Payments?

If you're receiving disability benefits for someone else as a representative payee, you have to receive the benefits electronically, just like the primary beneficiary. But, Social Security will make direct deposits only to an account that shows the disabled person is the owner of the account, with a few exceptions for families. You can't have the money deposited into your bank account, where it will be mixed with funds of your own.

If you're the representative payee, you can open an account titled with your name followed by the disabled person's name; for instance, Maria Martinez for Brenda Swanson. Talk to your bank about how to set up this type of account.

(If you're the representative payee for a child receiving SSI, you may need to open a dedicated SSI account if the child will receive a large sum of back pay.)

When Will My SSDI or SSI Payments Be Direct Deposited?

The day of the month you'll receive your payments depends on whether you're receiving SSDI or SSI benefits. Here are links to a 2025 SSDI payment calendar and a 2025 SSI payment calendar.