Most people get their Social Security straight into a bank account. But for millions of Americans who don’t have one, the money lands on a Direct Express prepaid Mastercard instead. If that’s you, keep an eye on your mailbox over the next few months.
The bank behind the card is changing. Comerica Bank, which has run Direct Express for years, is handing the program over to Fifth Third Bank. That means every existing cardholder will eventually get a brand-new card, and some already have.
The good news first: your benefit amount isn’t changing, and neither is your payment date. But there are a couple of things you should do to make sure the switch goes smoothly, and one scam you really need to watch out for.
Why the card is changing
Direct Express is a federal program run through the Treasury Department. It lets people collect Social Security, SSI and some other federal benefits on a prepaid debit card, with no bank account needed. Around 95% of Social Security’s beneficiaries use direct deposit, but the remaining group still adds up to millions of people. Recent reports put the number of cardholders at somewhere between 3.6 million and nearly 4 million.
The Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service picked Fifth Third Bank as the program’s new financial agent, after Fifth Third and Comerica merged. So it’s the same program and the same benefits, just a different bank behind the card.
The timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Anyone newly signing up for Direct Express gets a Fifth Third card |
| Mid-2026 into early 2027 | Existing Comerica cardholders are moved over in phases and sent new cards |
| Before your card arrives | You get a letter in the mail telling you it’s on the way |
There’s no single date for everyone. Cards are going out in waves, and according to the Social Security Administration the rollout is expected to continue into early 2027.
What stays the same
- Your benefit amount. The switch doesn’t change how much you get.
- Your payment date. Money still lands on your usual payday.
- No new fees to join. There’s no enrollment fee, and you don’t need to keep a minimum balance.
- Your old card keeps working until your new one arrives and you’ve activated it. Don’t cut it up early.
What you should do now
- Make sure SSA has your current address. This is the big one. Your notice letter and your new card both go by mail. If you’ve moved and haven’t told Social Security, your card could go to the wrong place. You can update your address in your my Social Security account or by calling SSA. “It is important for beneficiaries to keep their contact information up to date to ensure they receive all communications,” the agency said.
- Open the letter. When the advance notice comes, read it. It isn’t junk mail, and it tells you what to expect.
- Activate the new card when it arrives. The instructions come in the envelope. Fifth Third cardholders can also use the new Direct Express mobile app.
- Keep using your old card until then. Your Comerica card still works in the meantime.
Watch out for this scam
Any time millions of people are told “a new card is coming,” scammers jump in. Expect calls, texts or emails claiming you need to “verify” your card, your Social Security number or your PIN before the new card can be sent.
Don’t fall for it. Social Security, the Treasury and Fifth Third won’t call, text or email you asking for your PIN or password to issue a card. If someone does, hang up or delete the message, and report it to the Social Security inspector general at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Thinking about switching to direct deposit?
If you do have a bank or credit union account, this could be a good moment to move to direct deposit instead. You can set it up through your my Social Security account, so have your bank’s routing number and your account number handy. And if you’d rather stay with the card, that’s fine too. Direct Express isn’t going anywhere.
Sources: Yahoo News, Money Talks News, NTD and CPA Practice Advisor.
Jackson is a dedicated USA news writer, who covers important topics such as Social Security payment schedules, COLA increases, IRS tax refunds, stimulus payment announcements, Medicare eligibility, retirement benefits, and changes to state driving laws. His goal is to provide clear, informative, and easy-to-follow articles that help retirees, seniors, taxpayers, and American families stay informed.