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Changing Direct Deposit for VA Benefits

13 August 2021

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I receive a lot of emails asking how to change the account to which benefits are paid from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This includes disability, education, and survivor benefits. There are three ways to change your account:  online, via telephone, or via the mail. Changing direct deposit for VA benefits will make sure that your payment arrives to the right account on time.

Three ways to change your bank account for direct deposit of your VA benefits | KateHorrell.comOnline

The VA says that the fastest and easiest way to change your account information is via their eBenefits system. Of course, this isn’t fast or easy if you don’t have an existing account.

First, you’ll have to create a DS Login. Depending on your status, you might be able to complete this process online OR you might have to receive a verification code via the regular mail.

Once you have a DS Login, I’m assured that it is very easy to change your direct deposit information. I can’t see those screens because I don’t have VA disability payments. (If you do, I’d love to get a comment or an email!)

While setting up a DS Login can take a little time and effort, I still encourage you to set up an account. Once you have online access, you can do everything electronically and have instant confirmation of your actions. In addition to changing bank accounts, the eBenefits system can be used to file disability claims, schedule VA health appointments, and access educational benefits.

Telephone

If you do not have a DS Login to use the eBenefits system, or if you are having trouble, then you can change your direct deposit account information via the telephone or regular mail. The telephone number to call is 1-877-838-2778. I have heard reports of long waits and recordings telling people to call back later. While using the telephone can require a long wait, you can get the name of the representative, which will hopefully help to ensure that your change is made properly.

Mail

The last way to change your direct deposit information is via the mail. The benefit is that it doesn’t require waiting on hold or setting up a DS Login account. However, you have no confirmation that a mail change has been processed.  Download and print the VA Form 24-0296, Direct Deposit Enrollment. Despite its name, you use the same form to change accounts. Mail your form to the address listed. Keep your old bank account open until your deposits start arriving into your new account.

Updating your accounts should not be hard, but it does take a little effort. As I said above, signing up for electronic account access may take a little extra time at the beginning, but it will be worth it

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22 Comments
Filed Under: Veterans

Comments

  1. Robert Palacioz says

    17 May 2018 at 3:57 pm

    I called the number you provided, “they answered immediately, and completed automatic deposit in under 5 minutes. I must have caught them at the right time.

    Thanks for the info…….

    Purple Heart Marine salutes you,
    Robert

    Reply
    • Kate Horrell says

      18 May 2018 at 5:56 pm

      It’s your lucky day! So glad the process went smoothly for you!

      Reply
      • Jewell I. Russell says

        30 May 2018 at 9:24 am

        I wish the Social Security Department’s website was as easy to follow as the VA’s.
        I have searched and searched for the form for direct deposit to the Social Security Adm. and found a form, but not sure if it is the right one. It is frustrating to try to work my way through these websites, when they could be simplified and not made so difficult to find information needed. I am 83-years-old, and I am not computer savvy like the younger people are. Give us old people a break, please!

        Reply
  2. Daniel Kinder says

    1 July 2018 at 2:44 am

    I forgot to change my account number for VA disability until a day after it was due to be direct deposited. When will I receive this benefit now?

    Reply
  3. Joseph P Kearney says

    26 November 2018 at 12:27 pm

    The VA without my consent stopped my direct deposit of my compensation benefit with no reason for it, how can they do this? Now I am going to get a paper check.

    Reply
    • Kate Horrell says

      26 November 2018 at 12:47 pm

      That’s really unusual. Did they have a problem with the deposit going through? That would be my first guess – if the deposit was getting kicked back. What did they say when you called them?

      Reply
      • Joseph Kearney says

        26 November 2018 at 1:22 pm

        They said they didn’t know why. Been getting it over a year with no problem

        Reply
        • Kate Horrell says

          26 November 2018 at 5:58 pm

          Have you tried to re-enroll in direct deposit?

          Reply
  4. Joseph Kearney says

    26 November 2018 at 6:13 pm

    Yes I am good for December but we have to try and find out how this happened so it doesn’t happen again to me or another Veteran.

    Reply
  5. USMC Rob says

    29 November 2018 at 4:46 pm

    Changed my direct deposit on November 19,2018. Will I have to wait till the end of December to receive my payment? Or will they continue to deposit into the old account until the update has been made?

    Reply
    • Kate Horrell says

      29 November 2018 at 5:56 pm

      Payments should continue to the old account until the update has been made. I don’t know if the VA has a cut-off date for making changes. Were you told an effective date when you made the change?

      Reply
  6. Vince Davis says

    15 September 2019 at 12:36 pm

    Is it possible to have VA disability payments divided into more than one account?

    Reply
  7. Lawrence StClair says

    28 September 2019 at 2:02 pm

    I have a DS Login, CAC card since I am a civil service employee. I have tried changing it online but says I am not in DEERS. I have tried registering in DEERS but it always kicks it back for one reason or another.
    Not as easy as they say!

    Reply
    • Kate Horrell says

      28 September 2019 at 4:06 pm

      Mr. St.Clair, Have you tried logging into eBenefits with your DS Login? DEERS does not handle VA benefits.

      Reply
  8. jamie says

    16 November 2020 at 9:00 am

    Hi Kate,
    I just stopped by, because I am looking for a way to splity my eBenefit payment. There USED to be a way…now, It allows only to change, not add. :\

    Still looking!
    ~jamie
    OIF Navy
    01′-’06

    Reply
  9. Patrick Houlehan says

    12 April 2021 at 2:01 pm

    Trying to update my direct deposit account for my VA benefits is the most difficult thing I have ever tried to do I am disgusted with the VA for putting so many bureaucratic stumbling blocks into thi process

    Reply
  10. RONNIE B FISHER says

    29 May 2021 at 2:51 pm

    I need to change my Direct Deposit banking account information and I cant’ find the form to do my changes

    Reply
    • Kate Horrell says

      1 June 2021 at 9:25 am

      Mr. Fisher, thanks for letting me know that the link wasn’t working! I’ve updated it, and hopefully the hosting agency will keep it up 🙂 If you get stuck again, you can do an internet search (often called a Google search) for the form number.

      I hope that helps!

      Reply
  11. Ronnie Mason says

    6 September 2021 at 2:24 am

    Thank you for this information. It was VERY HELPFUL!!!

    Reply
  12. john King says

    23 May 2022 at 2:27 pm

    i wish to change my VA disability direct deposit to another account because my checking account was hacked. Please let me know how to go about this.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Kate Horrell says

      23 May 2022 at 8:15 pm

      Mr. King, please follow the directions that are listed here.

      Reply
  13. Matt davis says

    15 September 2022 at 6:11 am

    NetSpend closed my account on the 26th of August the day of my direct deposit and said I have to wait for a check. They also refuse to give me the correct account number the VA wants me to verify before changing my direct deposit to my BofA account. So now the advice from the VA is to wait until next pay day and they will send the direct deposit to the account that’s been closed and once it is returned I can set up a new direct deposit. Anybody who’s delt with the VA knows if a check goes back to them it can take months to get it back so I’m looking at probably Dec before I can get any of my only source of income I’m 100percent disabled. And who knows how long before I get the check from NetSpend and the one the VA is gonna purposely send to the wrong account instead of just changing the god damn direct deposit it’s not like they don’t ask you a hundred thousand verification questions so my ID has been verified during the call but they want me to verify the NetSpend account number and they understand I don’t have access to the account and the account number that I have the VA says is not the one they have. Eviction notice on my door this morning. Truck is going to get repossessed. Family can’t buy food and for what? For what m@therf@ckers? Any idea how hard it was to secure all the $hit they just cost me? No wonder we off ourselves twenty something a day because nobody gives a f@ck about us will knowingly flush us down the toilet over a typo or something simple that could be avoided! F@ck you america

    Reply

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WELCOME!

Hi! I'm Kate! Accredited Financial Counselor®, Navy spouse, and mom of four.

Here at the blog, I talk about the financial issues that affect military families - pay, allowances, and benefits. Plus college stuff, landlording, moving, taxes. We cover a little bit of everything.

My goal is to give you the tools to make the best decisions right now, so you'll be confidently prepared for whatever comes next - whether that's a PCS move, transition to civilian life, or retirement.

So grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever makes you happy, and let's get to know each other.

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