In the past, disability benefits were often issued via check each month. In early 2013 though, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began requiring all beneficiaries to receive payments through Electronic Funds Transfer. This decreases the likelihood of a check going missing or being stolen. It does not entirely eliminate the possibility of a missed payment.
There are a number of reasons payments can be missed, though the most common are:
- A failure to update the SSA with new payment account or direct deposit information
- An eligibility issue that stops or puts your benefit payments on pause
The SSA typically instructs beneficiaries to wait three days after the normal payment date before reporting a payment missing. If your bank card or your SSA-issued Direct Express debit card is lost or stolen, you should report the issue to the SSA and to your bank as soon as possible to prevent anyone else from accessing your benefit funds.
Missing payments and lost or stolen cards should be reported to the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by contacting your local SSA office.
When a payment is not issued to you on time by the SSA, you should call the same number listed above or contact your local SSA office.
You’ll have the opportunity to speak with an SSA representative that can help determine why your payment was not processed as usual or why it was not deposited to the card or account you thought it would be.
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