Millions of federal benefit recipients who use Direct Express cards will experience changes after the U.S. Treasury selected Fifth Third Bank as the program’s new financial agent.
Fifth Third is replacing Comerica Bank, which has managed Direct Express accounts and issued the program’s prepaid debit cards.
The transition affects people who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, veterans benefits or other eligible federal payments through Direct Express. Beneficiaries receiving payments through personal bank accounts are not affected.
New Enrollments Already Use Fifth Third
New Direct Express enrollments began moving to Fifth Third Bank in May 2026.
Existing cardholders will transition separately. According to an updated Social Security Administration notice, the migration of current accounts is expected to begin later in 2026 or early in 2027.
The process will occur gradually rather than moving every cardholder on the same day. Beneficiaries should receive advance notice explaining when their accounts will transition and whether they need to complete any steps.
Existing Cards Should Continue Working
Current cardholders should continue using their Comerica-issued Direct Express cards unless official instructions tell them otherwise.
The SSA says beneficiaries can continue using those cards after their accounts transition to Fifth Third Bank until the cards expire. This means users should not immediately discard their existing cards or request replacements simply because the provider is changing.
When a replacement becomes necessary, beneficiaries should follow the instructions sent through official Direct Express communications.
Benefits And Eligibility Are Not Changing
The provider switch is an administrative change to the financial institution managing the Direct Express program. It does not change Social Security eligibility rules, monthly benefit calculations or scheduled payment dates.
Direct Express allows people without a traditional checking or savings account to receive federal payments electronically. Funds are loaded onto a prepaid debit card that can be used for purchases, bill payments and cash withdrawals.
Beneficiaries should still monitor their accounts and promptly report any unexpected payment or access problems.
Contact Information Must Be Current
Existing cardholders should confirm that their mailing address, telephone number and other contact details are accurate.
Updated information is important because transition notices and future card materials may be mailed to the address on file. An outdated address could cause a beneficiary to miss instructions or experience delays receiving a replacement card.
Users should rely on the official Direct Express website and customer-service channels printed on their current cards when checking account information.
Beneficiaries Should Watch For Scams
Large government program transitions can create opportunities for scammers. Fraudsters may impersonate Social Security, the Treasury Department, Direct Express, Comerica or Fifth Third Bank.
Cardholders should be cautious about unsolicited telephone calls, emails or text messages requesting card numbers, PINs, passwords or Social Security numbers.
They should not click unfamiliar links or pay anyone to “activate” continued benefit payments. When uncertain, beneficiaries should independently contact Direct Express using verified information rather than responding to an unexpected message.
What Cardholders Should Do Now
Most existing users do not need to take immediate action beyond keeping their contact details current and watching for official notices.
Cardholders should continue using their present card, review account activity regularly and retain all legitimate transition correspondence.
People with questions about Direct Express accounts should contact the program directly. The Social Security Administration can continue helping with questions about benefit eligibility and payment amounts, but card access and transaction concerns are generally handled through Direct Express.
The switch from Comerica Bank to Fifth Third Bank will gradually change how the Direct Express program is administered. New enrollments have already moved to Fifth Third, while existing accounts will transition later.
Current users should continue using their existing cards until they expire or official instructions say otherwise. Staying alert for authentic notices and possible scams will be especially important throughout the transition.