HOW TO SET UP DIRECT DEPOSIT TO GET YOUR SSD CHECK
HOW DOES THE SSA PAY YOUR SSDI & SSI BENEFITS?
If you’ve been awarded Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then you are probably wondering about direct deposit options. Or, at least you are wondering how you will get paid. Believe it or not, it will take some effort on your part. First, you need to make sure that the SSA has your current bank account information. Because Federal law mandates that all Federal benefit payments, including SSDI and SSI benefit payments, must be made electronically.
Let’s put this another way – THE SSA NO LONGER MAILS PAPER CHECKS.
Instead, your SSDI and SSI payments will be sent to you electronically. This means your monthly SSDI and SSI check will either go straight into your bank account or your benefit payment will load onto a Direct Express debit card.
Personally, our law firm recommends that you receive your SSD payments through Direct Deposit into your personal bank account. It is the safe and secure option. However, we understand that may not work for everyone. Therefore, this article outlines all of your options.
RECEIVE YOUR SSD BENEFITS BY SETTING UP DIRECT DEPOSIT
If you have never used direct deposit before, then you might worry you can’t trust the SSA to deposit your money. But, you can. Direct deposit is the best electronic payment option.
Below are some of the reasons why direct deposit is the best way to get your SSDI and SSI checks.
First, it is safe. Since your money goes directly into the bank in the form of an electronic transfer, there is no risk of your check being lost or stolen. We have all heard the story of Social Security checks being stolen out of the mailbox. Those days are over. You can no longer be the target of a thief if you have direct deposit.
Second, it is quick. It is easy to receive your benefit by Direct Deposit. You can sign up online at Go Direct®.Or you can sign up by calling 1-800-333-1795. You can also sign up in person at your bank, savings and loan or credit union. Or you can sign up by calling the SSA. Once you sign up, you can relax. Your benefit will automatically go into your account every month.
Third, it is convenient. With Direct Deposit, you do not have to stand in line to cash your check. Your money goes directly into your bank account. Therefore, when it is time to pay the bills, you can do it online. Additionally, you don’t have to pay any bank fees to cash your checks. Your money arrives in your account ready to use.
Finally, if the payment date of your benefit check falls on a weekend or federal holiday, then your benefits will be paid on the business day before.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT
There are many ways to sign up for direct deposit. For example, you can sign up for direct deposit when you first apply for Social Security disability benefits. You simply input your bank account information where it asks for it on the online application. The application for disability benefits is on the SSA’s website.
The information that the SSA to set up direct deposit is:
- the routing number for your bank or credit union
- your account number, and
- the type of account you want the check to go into (checking or savings).
You can always change your direct deposit information if your bank account changes. For example, if you move, then you may need to get a new bank account. All you need to do to change the direct deposit information is to call the SSA and give them your new account information.
If you win SSD benefits, then you can set up direct deposit:
- by calling your bank or credit union
- online at Social Security’s website
- in person at your local Social Security office, or
- by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR DIRECT DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
If you do decide to set up your account in person at your local SSA office, then you will need to call and make an appointment. The SSA no longer accepts walk-in appointments.
It can take the SSA 30 to 60 days to deposit your benefits into your bank account. If you make direct deposit changes before the 15th of the month, then it will affect your next SSD payment. Changes made after the 15th of the month won’t take effect until the next month.
For example, if you change your direct deposit information on March 1st, then your next payment will be deposited into your new account. But if you don’t report the change until March 21st, then your April payment will be sent to your old bank account. So, don’t close your old account until you can see that the SSA is making deposits into your new account.
WHAT IS A DIRECT EXPRESS DEBIT CARD?
If you don’t have a bank account, then the SSA offers another way to receive your SSDI and SSI benefits. You can receive your benefits through the Direct Express® Debit Card. This card works just like a debit card. Therefore, your SSDI and SSI payments automatically load onto the card every month. Like direct deposit, the card is a simple and secure way to access your benefits. Finally, you do not need to have a traditional bank account to use your money.
If you don’t have a bank account, then the SSA will issue you a Direct Express card. Each month the SSA will add your monthly SSD payments to the card on the day you are scheduled to receive your benefits.
You can use the Direct Express card like a debit card at any place that accepts MasterCard. You can also use your Direct Express card to get cash back when you make a purchase. Additionally, you can use your card to withdraw cash using an ATM. Just remember, the owner of the ATM can charge a fee when you make a withdrawal.
If you want to sign up for Direct Express, then call Direct Express at 800-333-1795. You can sign up for free. Also, there is no monthly charge to use the card.
The day of the month you receive your disability payments depends on whether you are getting SSDI or SSI benefits. You can review the SSA 2025 SSDI payment calendar and the 2025 SSI payment calendar.
ONE MORE OPTION: DIRECT DEPOSIT INTO AN ELECTRONIC TRANSFER ACCOUNT (ETA)
If you don’t have a bank account, then some banks offer an Electronic Transfer Account (ETA). ETAs were started by the federal government to make sure people who receive federal payments can receive their money through direct deposit.
Below are the guidelines an ETA account must follow:
- they cannot change a fee of more than $3.00 per month, and
- they must allow at least four cash withdrawals a month.
Some banks have ETAs that allow you to withdraw money from an ATM. If you need information about an ETA account, then it is best to contact the bank or credit union that offers ETA accounts.
CAN A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE RECEIVE A DIRECT DEPOSIT OF SSD PAYMENTS?
If you are getting disability benefits for someone else because you are their representative payee, then you can set up direct deposit of the monthly check. But, there is one caveat, the SSA will only make direct deposits into an account that shows the disabled person is the owner of the account. There are some exceptions for family members, but you will need to discuss those with the SSA directly.
If you’re the representative payee, you can open an account titled with your name followed by the name of the person getting benefits. For example, the account name would look like this: Bill Smith for Joseph Nelson.
If you are the representative payee for a child who is getting SSI benefits, then you will need to open a dedicated SSI account. Make sure you do so, especially if the child will receive a large sum of past due benefits.
APPLYING FOR BENEFITS IS EASY WITH OUR HELP
If you are filing an application SSDI or SSI benefits, then you can choose to receive your benefit payment electronically when you file your application. If you currently receive SSDI or Supplemental Security Income benefits by check, then you must switch to an electronic payment option.
There are two types of benefits you can apply for if you have a disability. The first benefit is SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The second is SSI or Supplemental Security Income benefits.
In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, workers over the age of 30 must have at least 20 work credits within the ten year period just prior to the start of their disability. Find out about SSA’s definition of work and substantial gainful activity. If you do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits, then you can apply for SSI benefits.
Filing for benefits with the help of our SSD law firm is simple. We will help you file your application for benefits on Social Security’s website. If you receive SSDI benefits, then within 29 months after your onset date of disability, you will also get Medicare benefits. Medicare benefits are a form of health insurance that pays for medical bills. Find out about Medicare benefits .
SSI benefits begin the day you apply and do not go back in time prior to the application date. Also, SSI comes with Medicaid benefits, not Medicare benefits. If you do not apply quickly, you are losing benefits. You should apply for benefits as soon as you know you will not be going back to work. Learn about past due SSD benefits.
WE WILL HELP YOU WIN SSDI & SSI BENEFITS
Beyond direct deposit issues, you may wonder whether the SSA will approve your claim for SSDI and SSI benefits. If so, then call our law firm. We are the only law firm helping SSD and SSI clients in Utah, Nevada, and Idaho with over 30 years of experience. Also, we are the best SSD lawyers in the state of Utah.
We also help clients in many other states. For example, we have clients in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are also in the top three SSD lawyers in the state of Nevada. Find out about our Nevada SSD legal experience. We also have clients in Idaho, Colorado, and California. Learm information about Idaho SSDI benefits. We also have Colorado SSDI benefit information and California SSD benefit information.
We’ll help you get your SSDI and SSI benefits. We fight for the benefits the SSA owes you under the law. Also, we offer a free review of your case. Additionally, you do not pay an attorney fee until we win your benefits. Learn answers to your questions about attorney fees.
If you want to learn about our lawyers, then review our About Us page. For instance, Andria Summers can also help you with your Medicare plan. She has won thousands of SSD cases. Dianna Cannon has been helping her SSDI and SSI clients win benefits for over thirty years. Brett Bunkall also has years of experience helping people obtain win SSD benefits.
We are experts in Social Security law. Our experience proves it, because we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases. You can trust us to help you win your benefits. Contact us. Put our legal experience to work for you. Feel free to call us with your questions about direct deposit.
