No more paper checks? Here’s what Social Security just changed

Many Americans are ditching their checkbooks these days, with only 61 percent reportedly having written one in 2024. Now, the federal government is following suit, with paper checks being discontinued as a form of payment. This new change will soon affect the people who receive Social Security benefits as they are forced to switch to electronic payment options. Keep reading to learn more about the elimination of Social Security paper checks, why the policy is changing and what steps to take if this impacts you. 

When will Social Security stop mailing paper checks?

In just a couple of months, Social Security beneficiaries will no longer be checking their mailbox for their monthly payment. Instead, they could soon be seeing the money deposited directly into their bank accounts.

Beginning September 30, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be discontinuing paper checks. Americans who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits will be transitioned over to electronic payment methods.

Why the government is moving to digital payments

This change is part of a government-wide shift to move away from paper checks. On March 25, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to mandate that government agencies move to fully digital payments to cut down on the risk of mail check fraud and theft. 

“There are two key reasons for this change: efficiency and fraud prevention,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek. “Digital payments streamline the distribution process, cut down on mailing costs, and reduce the potential for delays or errors while by using secure electronic payment methods, the SSA can better ensure that benefits are delivered directly to the intended recipients, reducing the risk of theft or misdirected funds.”

There have been several issues this year with benefits potentially being delayed as employees work to wrap up cases related to the Social Security Fairness Act. Staff cuts have also contributed to a large workload. Moving to digital payments could potentially speed up the payment process so beneficiaries have their money available to them much sooner. 

What to do if you haven’t switched to digital payments yet

While the SSA has shared that the majority of people (nearly 68 million) already receive electronic payments, there are roughly 500,000 Americans who still get their Social Security benefits via paper checks. 

If you are one of the people who have not yet transitioned to the new payment method, the administration will be contacting you with a notice, reports Forbes.com. The message includes information about the policy change, plus steps on how to sign up for electronic payments. The same instructions are also available via an insert included with the paper checks being sent before September 30. 

How to enroll in Direct Deposit or Direct Express for Social Security 

There are two options available for beneficiaries who need to make the switch from paper checks. The first, Direct Deposit, will allow the administration to deposit payments directly into a person’s checking or savings account with their bank or financial institution.

To sign up, beneficiaries can log into their online account via Login.gov or ID.me. Other options to enroll in Direct Deposit include visiting a Social Security field office or calling the main telephone number at 1-800-772-1213. (Tip: You’ll encounter shorter wait times to speak to a representative if you call in the morning, later in the week and later in the month.) 

Beneficiaries who do not have a bank account will be able to continue receiving their benefits with a Direct Express Card. This is a prepaid debit card created specifically for federal benefit payments and is designed to be used by unbanked citizens. 

You can enroll by calling the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1-877-874-6347. A representative will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth and information from your most recent federal benefit check or claim number, so make sure you have all of that handy. 

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