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3mo ago

U.S. To End Federal Paper Checks on Sept. 30 as Benefits Go Digital

Officials frame the switch as a cost‑saving, anti‑fraud upgrade requiring action by the last paper‑check recipients.

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The federal government will stop issuing paper checks for nearly all payments, including Social Security benefits and tax refunds, beginning Sept. 30.
The federal government will stop issuing paper checks for nearly all payments, including Social Security benefits and tax refunds, beginning Sept. 30.
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Overview

  • The transition covers Social Security, Veterans benefits and IRS tax refunds, with only narrow exceptions such as emergencies or lack of access to banking services.
  • About 500,000 people—fewer than 1% of Social Security recipients—still receive paper checks and must move to direct deposit or the Treasury‑backed Direct Express debit card.
  • Beneficiaries can enroll at GoDirect.gov, call the Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1-800-967-6857 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. ET), or contact the agency that issues their payments.
  • The Treasury cites lower costs—about 50 cents per paper check versus under 15 cents for direct deposit—and notes paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen, a point echoed by Secretary Scott Bessent.
  • The change follows a presidential executive order directing agencies to adopt electronic payments, and unbanked recipients can use FDIC GetBanked, MyCreditUnion.gov or the Direct Express card to receive funds.