Direct Deposit

What is Direct Deposit?

Direct Deposit is the electronic transfer of a federal payment owed to you into your checking, share draft, or savings account. It is safer, more secure and more convenient than receiving your payment by check. You must have a bank account or ETA (Electronic Transfer Account) to receive your payments by Direct Deposit.

What must I do to sign up?

The easiest way to sign up for Direct Deposit is to call 1 (800) 333-1795 (English) or 1 (800) 333-1792 (Spanish) and we can enroll you over the phone. Or, you may contact the government agency that pays you (see list below). For most agencies the first step is to complete the Direct Deposit Form.

Be sure to verify with your bank the routing and account number information that is required. Return the completed form to the paying agency or to your bank.

Major Government Agencies Offering Direct Deposit

• Social Security Administration (SSI and SSA)
  (800) 772-1213
  (800) 325-0778 TTY
  
• Department of Veterans Affairs
  Veterans Benefits Administration
  (800) 827-1000
  (800) 321-1080
  (800) 829-4833 TDD
  
• Office of Personnel Management
  (888) 767-6738
  (800) 878-5707 TDD
  
• Internal Revenue Service
  (800) 829-4477
  
• Railroad Retirement Board
  (Automated System)
  (800) 808-0772
  (312) 751-4701 TTY
• Department of Labor
  (202) 693-0031 comp.
  (202) 693-0046 black lung
  (866) 487-2365 main
  (877) 889-5627 TTY
  
• Central Intelligence Agency
  (703) 482-0623
  
• Bureau of the Public Debt
  (304) 480-6888 bonds
  
• Defense Finance and Accounting Service
  for all DOD payments
  

Forms

• SF 1199A Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form