The days of receiving a Social Security check in your mailbox are almost gone. Starting at the end of this month, the federal government will officially end paper checks for Social Security benefits in nearly all cases. The move is part of a broader effort to cut down on fraud, speed up payments, and save money.
If you still rely on a paper check, you may be wondering what this change means for you and if there are exceptions.
Why is social security ending paper checks?
The U.S. Department of Treasury and the Social Security Administration (SSA) have been pushing for electronic payments for years. According to the Treasury, paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, or altered compared to direct deposit.
There is also a cost factor. It costs about 50 cents to issue a paper check, while an electronic transfer costs less than 15 cents. That adds up when you are talking about millions of payments every month.
Matthew Bilenki, director of finance and management at the SSA, explained that this change will also help fight growing mail theft. “We are proactively contacting those beneficiaries to alert them about the change and the process to enroll in direct deposit or receive Direct Express cards,” he said.
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Who is still getting social security paper checks?
Even though most people already get their benefits by direct deposit or on a Direct Express debit card, there are still some who have been receiving checks in the mail. Here is a breakdown:
- As of September, about 390,800 people nationwide were still receiving paper checks.
- California had the most, with more than 43,000 beneficiaries.
- In Texas, over 28,000, and Florida has more than 24,000.
- In Michigan, about 10,578 people were still getting their benefits by check.
That is less than 1% of all Social Security beneficiaries, but it is still a significant number.
Who still qualifies for a paper check?
According to the Social Security Administration, paper checks will never be completely eliminated. There are still a small group of people who can qualify. According to the SSA, you may still receive your benefits by check if:
- You were born on or before May 1, 1921.
- You live in a remote area without the infrastructure needed for electronic banking.
- You have a mental impairment or another condition that prevents you from managing a bank account.
If you fall into one of these categories, you can request a waiver by calling the U.S. Treasury at 855-290-1545.
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What should you do if you still get a paper check?
If you are one of the people who still receives a paper check, you should take steps now to avoid delays in your benefits. The SSA advises that you switch to electronic payments as soon as possible.
Your options include:
- Direct deposit into your checking or savings account.
- A Direct Express debit card, which is designed for people who do not have a bank account.
- Setting up payments into a prepaid debit card or even a digital wallet.
You can enroll online at www.ssa.gov/deposit, call Treasury’s Electronic Payment Solution Center at 800-333-1795, or sign up in person at your financial institution.
What happens if you do nothing?
The good news is that your Social Security payments will not stop on October 1 if you have not yet switched. The SSA has confirmed that checks will continue for those who have no other way of receiving payments.
However, keep in mind that switching to electronic payments means:
- You will get your money faster.
- You will face fewer risks of theft or fraud.
- You will avoid potential disruptions if mail delivery is delayed.
As the SSA put it in a recent notice: “To avoid any disruption in payments, you should switch to electronic payment options before Sept. 30.”
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