Overview

• Beneficiaries who still receive paper checks are urged to switch now to direct deposit or the Treasury-backed Direct Express card to avoid delays with October payments.
• The change is part of a government-wide push affecting Social Security and VA benefits, with the IRS also beginning to phase out paper tax refund checks.
• Exceptions will be limited to hardship cases approved by the Treasury, with waiver requests taken at 1-877-874-6347.
• SSA has eliminated the temporary check option for new claims, and technicians can help with enrollment via my Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213; Direct Express enrollment is available at 1-800-333-1795 or usdirectexpress.com.
• Fewer than 1% of recipients still use paper checks, which SSA says are far more prone to loss or theft and cost more to process than electronic transfers.