How to Notify a Bank of Social Security Account Status

You should notify your bank any time your Social Security account status changes.

If you want to put your Social Security benefits into your bank account, you should notify your bank of your Social Security account status. Doing this lets the bank double-check that the funds coming into your account from the Social Security Administration are authorized. This may help prevent unnecessary seizures on the account, since Social Security benefits cannot be seized by debt collectors. Notifying your bank of your account status also lets you set up direct deposit for your Social Security benefits.

Instructions

1. Contact the Social Security Administration by visiting your local branch or calling the SSA help line at 800-772-1213. Request a Social Security Statement and provide the representative with your name as it appears on your Social Security card, your Social Security number, birth date and location and your mother's maiden name (last name only). It is helpful if you can provide last year's earnings and an estimate of current and future earnings, as well as the age at which you have stopped or intend to stop working. Alternately, download and fill out the Social Security Statement Request Form (SSA-7004) from the Social Security Administration website and mail it to your local SSA branch (see Resource).

2. Make a copy of the Social Security Statement once you receive it from the Social Security Administration.

3. Write a brief cover letter to the bank indicating that you are providing the bank with your current Social Security Statement as notification of your SSA account status. Make a copy of this letter.

4. Mail or fax the copies of your Social Security Statement and cover letter to the bank, or take them to the bank in person.

Tips & Warnings

• Although the Social Security Statement should be sufficient because it summarizes what you are entitled to receive from Social Security, you also may include copies of your most recent Social Security checks, as well as any communication from the SSA indicating changes to your account status.

• Allow two to four weeks to receive your statement in the mail.

References

• AARP: Social Security Recipients Devastated by Bank Account Seizures
• Social Security Administration: Information About Requesting a Social Security Statement

Resources

• Social Security Administration: Request for Social Security Statement