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4h ago

SSA Begins Outreach as It Phases Out Paper Social Security Checks

Enrolling the final 0.8% of paper-check beneficiaries in electronic payment options, the agency also preserves waivers for those unable to go digital.

The Treasury Department said in May that all federal payments — including Social Security benefits — would be made electronically starting on September 30.
A Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Washington, DC, March 26, 2025.
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Overview

  • Starting September 30, the Social Security Administration will stop mailing paper checks in order to complete a government-wide move to fully electronic federal payments.
  • As of early August, SSA is contacting roughly 520,000 remaining beneficiaries—about 0.8% of recipients—to sign up for direct deposit or the Direct Express prepaid debit card.
  • A new hardship waiver process will let only those with mental impairments, remote-area banking barriers or age 90 and older continue receiving paper checks.
  • Electronic transfers cost under 15 cents per transaction versus about 50 cents for a paper check, and Treasury data show paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen.
  • The policy originates from President Trump’s March executive order and longstanding law empowering agencies to modernize payments while allowing limited exceptions.