Ways to Receive Your Social Security Benefits

The Social Security Administration requires people who receive SSI, SSDI, and other federal benefits to get their monthly benefit payments electronically. If you have a bank account or a credit union account, you can set up a direct deposit by contacting your financial institution.

But, you don’t necessarily need a bank or credit union account to receive your payments electronically. You can choose to get your benefit payments through a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® account. This operates similarly to a prepaid debit card. You can use it to make purchases anywhere debit cards are accepted and to withdraw cash from ATMs, up to the amount that has been deposited.

Sign up by contacting the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at (877) 874-6347, or go to https://godirect.gov/gpw/. The Direct Express® card is safe and there are only minimal fees.