How to switch disability payments to direct deposit? Need help navigating EDD system
Hey everyone, I need to switch my disability payments to direct deposit. Has anyone done this recently? What's the process like? I'm tired of waiting for checks in the mail and want to make sure I don't miss any payments. Any tips or advice would be appreciated!
35 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve disability direct deposit setup issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9DoLQQtVfk
0 coins
Emma Davis
I just went through this process last month! It's actually pretty straightforward. You need to call the disability office and ask them to switch you to direct deposit. They'll ask for your bank account info, so make sure you have that handy. The whole thing took me about 15 minutes on the phone.
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
•15 minutes?! You must be some kind of wizard. I've been trying to get through for weeks and can never reach a human 😭
0 coins
Emma Davis
•Oh no, really? I guess I got lucky then. Keep trying, hopefully you'll get through soon!
0 coins
Malik Robinson
•Same boat here. Been on hold for hours multiple times. This system is a joke 🤡
0 coins
Isabella Silva
Pro tip: You can actually do this online now! Go to the disability services website and look for the 'Update Payment Method' section. You'll need to create an account if you haven't already, but it's way easier than calling imho.
0 coins
Javier Morales
•Oh wow, I had no idea! Thanks for the info, I'll definitely check that out. Sounds way less stressful than sitting on hold forever.
0 coins
Ravi Choudhury
•Just a heads up, the online system can be glitchy af sometimes. Make sure you double-check everything before submitting!
0 coins
Freya Andersen
Guys, I found a method to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Check out this video for more info: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
0 coins
Omar Farouk
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
0 coins
CosmicCadet
•$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken 🤦♂️
0 coins
Freya Andersen
•I know it sounds sketchy, but I swear it worked for me. After weeks of trying to get through, I was desperate enough to try anything. It's not ideal, but it got the job done.
0 coins
Chloe Harris
•Can you give more details about how it works? Is it legit?
0 coins
Freya Andersen
•Sure! Basically, you choose the department you need to reach on their website, pay the fee, and they start calling for you. When they get a real person, they connect the call to your phone. It saved me hours of hold time.
0 coins
Diego Mendoza
Here's a comprehensive guide to switching to direct deposit for disability payments: 1. Gather your information: You'll need your claim number, bank account number, and routing number. 2. Choose your method: a) Online: Log into your account on the disability services website and look for 'Update Payment Method' or similar. b) Phone: Call the disability office directly. c) Mail: Download and fill out a direct deposit form, then mail it in (slowest option). 3. If using the online method: - Log in and navigate to the correct section - Enter your banking information carefully - Double-check all details before submitting - Look for a confirmation message or email 4. If calling: - Be prepared for potentially long wait times - Have all your information ready - Confirm with the representative when the change will take effect 5. After making the change: - Keep an eye on your bank account for the first deposit - If you don't see it when expected, follow up immediately Remember, it can take 1-2 payment cycles for the change to take effect. Don't panic if your first payment after the switch is still a paper check. Hope this helps everyone navigate the process! 💯
0 coins
Javier Morales
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed guide! This is exactly what I needed. You're a lifesaver! 🙏
0 coins
Anastasia Popova
•This should be pinned at the top of the subreddit. So helpful!
0 coins
Sean Flanagan
•Quick question - do you know if there's a way to check the status of the change after submitting it online?
0 coins
Diego Mendoza
•Good question! Usually, you can check the status in your online account under 'Payment Information' or 'Recent Account Changes'. If you don't see it there, give them a call after about 5 business days.
0 coins
Zara Shah
ugh i've been trying to do this for MONTHS. everytime i call they put me on hold for hours and then hang up on me. this system is so broken i stg
0 coins
NebulaNomad
•Have you tried calling right when they open? I've had better luck getting through early in the morning.
0 coins
Zara Shah
•yeah ive tried everything. early morning, late afternoon, middle of the day. no luck 😫
0 coins
Luca Ferrari
Just a heads up, make sure your bank account is in your name only. I tried to set up direct deposit to a joint account with my spouse and they wouldn't allow it. Had to open a separate account just for this 🙄
0 coins
Nia Wilson
Am I the only one who prefers paper checks? At least I know for sure when it's coming and can plan around it. Direct deposit always seems to be a day or two off for me.
0 coins
Mateo Martinez
•Nah, you're not alone. I like having the physical check too. Feels more real somehow lol
0 coins
Aisha Hussain
•But what if it gets lost in the mail? That happened to me once and it was a nightmare to sort out.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
PSA: If you're on SSI, switching to direct deposit might affect your resource limit. Make sure you understand the rules before making the switch!
0 coins
StarStrider
•Wait, what? Can you explain this more? I'm on SSI and was thinking about switching.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
•Sure! With SSI, you're limited to $2000 in resources ($3000 for couples). When you get a paper check, it doesn't count towards this limit until you cash it. But with direct deposit, it counts as soon as it hits your account. So if you're close to the limit, be careful!
0 coins
StarStrider
•Oh wow, I had no idea. Thanks for the heads up!
0 coins
Holly Lascelles
I just switched to direct deposit about 6 months ago and it's been a game changer! No more worrying about mail delays or lost checks. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - make sure you keep your old checking account open for at least 2-3 months after making the switch, just in case there are any delays or issues. Also, I found that calling on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings around 8:30 AM gave me the best chance of getting through to someone quickly. The whole process took about 2 weeks to fully take effect for me. Good luck!
0 coins
Natalie Adams
•Thanks for sharing your experience! The Tuesday/Wednesday morning tip is really helpful - I never thought about timing it like that. Two weeks seems pretty reasonable for the whole process. Did you have any issues with the transition or did everything go smoothly?
0 coins
Fatima Al-Qasimi
•That's a really smart tip about keeping the old account open! I hadn't thought about that but it makes total sense. Better to be safe than sorry with government payments. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through the process successfully!
0 coins
Connor Gallagher
Just wanted to share my recent experience - I successfully switched to direct deposit last week using the online method that Isabella mentioned! It was surprisingly straightforward once I found the right section on the website. The key was making sure I had my routing number and account number written down correctly (I double and triple checked). The whole online process took maybe 10 minutes, and I got a confirmation email right away. Now I'm just waiting to see my next payment hit the account directly. For anyone still struggling with phone calls, definitely try the online route first - it saved me so much frustration!
0 coins
Yara Elias
•That's awesome that the online method worked so well for you! I'm definitely going to try that route first instead of dealing with the phone system. Quick question - do you remember what section it was under exactly? I want to make sure I'm looking in the right place when I log in. Also, did you need any other documents besides your bank info?
0 coins