1. Direct Deposit to a Bank Account

The most common and preferred method for SSDI payments is direct deposit into your checking or savings account.

Here’s why most beneficiaries choose this option:

• Fast and reliable – Payments are deposited automatically each month, usually on your scheduled payment date.
• Secure – There’s no risk of lost or stolen paper checks.
• Convenient – Funds are available immediately and can be accessed through ATMs, online banking, or debit cards.

To set up direct deposit, you’ll need:

• Your bank account number, and
• Your bank’s routing number.

You can provide this information when applying for SSDI or later through your My Social Security account or by contacting your local Social Security office in North Carolina.

2. Direct Express® Debit Card

If you don’t have a bank account, the SSA offers an alternative: the Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®.

This prepaid card is a safe and easy way to receive SSDI benefits electronically. With this option:

• Your SSDI payment is automatically loaded onto the card each month.
• You can use it for purchases, bill payments, or ATM withdrawals.
• There are no bank account requirements or credit checks.

Key features include:

• No check-cashing fees
• Protection against unauthorized transactions
• 24/7 customer service for lost or stolen cards

You can sign up for Direct Express® by calling 1-800-333-1795 or by visiting the official Direct Express® website.

3. Electronic Transfer Account (ETA)

Another less common but available option is the Electronic Transfer Account (ETA). This is a low-cost bank account designed specifically for people who receive federal payments like SSDI.

It allows you to:

• Receive your SSDI deposits electronically
• Access your money with an ATM or debit card
• Avoid high banking fees

While ETAs are not offered by all banks, you can ask your local financial institutions in North Carolina if they provide this service.

4. Payment Schedule in North Carolina

Your SSDI payment date depends on your date of birth:

• Born on the 1st–10th → Paid on the second Wednesday of each month
• Born on the 11th–20th → Paid on the third Wednesday of each month
• Born on the 21st–31st → Paid on the fourth Wednesday of each month

If you’ve been receiving benefits since before May 1997, your payment typically arrives on the third day of each month, regardless of your birthday.

5. Back Pay and Lump-Sum Payments

If your SSDI application took several months or years to be approved, you may be entitled to back pay — the benefits owed to you for the period you were eligible but not yet approved.

The SSA usually issues SSDI back pay as:

• A lump-sum payment via direct deposit or Direct Express®, and
• Occasionally, in multiple installments, depending on your total back pay amount.

6. Changing Your Payment Method

You can switch between payment options at any time by:

• Logging into your My Social Security account online, or
• Contacting your local Social Security office in North Carolina.

Always make sure your payment information is up to date, especially if you change banks or move to a new address, to avoid missed payments or delays.