I JUST APPLIED AND WHEN I CHANGED MY CHECKING ACCT NUMBER, IT SAY IT WILL START IN, JUNE I NEED IT TO START IN APRIL, NOT JUNE IF ITS IS NOT CHANGED MY FIRST DEPOSIT WILL BE SENT BACK FOR HAVING WRONG ACT NUMBER.

Hi,

I don't know what to tell you, except that it takes time to process changes to a person's address and/or direct deposit account. Social Security cautions people not to close the bank accounts where their payments are being deposited until after their payments have started going to their new account.

Social Security does not actually issue Social Security benefit payments. Social Security checks and direct deposits are issued by the U.S. Treasury Department as directed by Social Security. So, when you report a change in your direct deposit information, Social Security must not only update their records but must also forward the new information to the Treasury Dept. so that they can change their records. That all takes time to effectuate.

If your new account and prior account are both at the same bank then they may be able to redirect your Social Security payment to your new account. Otherwise, if you've already closed your prior account then your payments for April and May will likely end up being returned to the Treasury. When the Treasury Dept. notifies Social Security of the return, Social Security will note that you have a new account number and they'll direct the Treasury Dept. to reissue your payment to the new account. Unfortunately, though, it will likely take several weeks if not longer for you to receive the reissued payment.

Best, Jerry