Overview

• Routine paper checks end Tuesday under a March executive order, with benefits now sent by direct deposit or the Treasury’s Direct Express prepaid card.
• The first paperless month starts this week, with SSI paid Oct. 1 and pre‑May 1997 Social Security beneficiaries paid Oct. 3.
• Hardship exceptions are available through the U.S. Treasury waiver process, and the Social Security Administration has ended temporary checks for new claims.
• The policy also covers VA benefits and begins phasing IRS tax refunds away from paper checks, though taxpayers are told to keep using current procedures for now.
• Treasury points to paper checks being 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen, with per‑payment costs around 50 cents for checks versus under 15 cents for electronic transfers.