Starting October 1, 2025, physical Social Security checks will largely be a thing of the past. If you are used to getting a paper check — even up to the full monthly benefit (which can reach around $5,108) — you will need to make a change before then. If you do not receive your new form of payment, you could face delays. Here is what you need to know — in plain terms.
Why is Social Security ending paper checks?
This change comes under a government-wide push to modernize how federal payments are made. According to the Social Security Administration, “starting September 30, 2025, the SSA will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments.”
The shift is meant to improve speed, reduce fraud risks, cut costs — and reduce lost or stolen checks, which are far more common than electronic mis-routing. In fact, paper checks cost roughly 50 cents per issuance, while electronic payments cost less than 15 cents.
Who will still get a paper check — if anyone?
Not everyone will lose access to paper checks. The SSA says that less than 1 percent of beneficiaries currently receive paper checks, and exemptions will exist in limited cases.
If you have no reasonable way to receive payments electronically — for example, you are unbanked and cannot use a prepaid card and can demonstrate hardship — you may qualify for a waiver.
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What should you do if you currently receive a paper check?
You must act before September 30 to avoid interruptions. Here’s what to do:
- Enroll in direct deposit. Log in to your my Social Security account and set up an electronic payment to your bank or credit union.
- Use a Direct Express® card. If you do not have a bank account, you can get a prepaid debit card specifically for federal benefits.
- Submit a waiver request if needed. Call the U.S. Treasury at 1-877-874-6347 to apply for an exemption if you cannot reasonably switch.
- Verify your information. Double-check account numbers, bank routing numbers, and your mailing address in your SSA records to prevent errors.
It is critical to do this before the deadline — once October starts, paper checks will no longer be generally issued.
What to do if you do not receive your payment in october?
If October arrives and you do not see your benefit:
- Check your bank or card account to ensure the payment was deposited there.
- Confirm your direct deposit or card setup was accepted in your “my Social Security” account.
- If you signed up for a waiver, make sure it was approved.
- Contact Social Security directly to report your missing payment.
- Ask them to trace the payment or reissue, if needed.
Because paper checks will no longer be routinely available, you cannot rely on getting a physical fallback unless your waiver was approved.
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How much could people get — what’s the top benefit?
Some full retirees, after delaying benefits to age 70 and having high lifetime earnings, might qualify for monthly payments up to $5,108 under the Social Security maximum for 2025.
So if you are receiving close to that amount via a paper check now — or something substantial — losing access without switching could be painful. It is not just small sums at stake; your full benefit depends on a functioning payment method.
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