Overview
- Less than 1% of beneficiaries — roughly 500,000 people — still receive paper checks, and the SSA is issuing final reminders to switch this week.
- Payments must be sent by direct deposit or loaded to the Treasury’s Direct Express prepaid card, with no temporary paper checks for initial claims.
- Exemptions require a waiver filed with the U.S. Treasury, and paper checks will continue only when no other method is feasible, with no plans to pause payments on Oct. 1.
- Treasury and SSA cite lower costs and greater security, noting paper checks cost about 50 cents versus under 15 cents for electronic transfers and are far more likely to be lost or stolen.
- Advocates and some lawmakers warn the timeline may burden older, disabled and unbanked recipients, as agencies expand outreach and enrollment support via mySocialSecurity or 1-800-772-1213 and Direct Express at 1-800-333-1795.