Overview

• Social Security is issuing final reminders that recipients still on paper checks should switch to direct deposit or the Direct Express card by September 30 to avoid disruption.
• Roughly 0.8% of beneficiaries—more than 500,000 people—still receive paper checks, and the SSA says it is proactively contacting them about the change.
• Beneficiaries can enroll via a my Social Security account for direct deposit, call 1-800-772-1213 for SSI or international assistance, or sign up for Direct Express at 1-800-333-1795 or usdirectexpress.com.
• Temporary paper checks for initial claims have been discontinued, exemptions require a Treasury waiver at 1-877-874-6347, paper checks continue only when no other method is feasible, and payments will not be paused on October 1.
• The SSA estimates electronic transfers cost under $0.15 versus about $0.50 for paper checks, projecting multi-million-dollar annual savings and reduced check-theft risk.