The end of paper checks
The Social Security Administration has officially ended issuing paper checks, an important change for the millions of Americans who receive these payments. As of September 30, 2025, the federal government now requires all Social Security benefits to be received in the form of electronic deposits.
But SSA data show that as of early October, nearly 390,000 beneficiaries were continuing to receive their benefits in the form of paper checks. That is a small percentage — only 0.6% of the over 68 million people on Social Security — but it’s a threatening reality for them.
If they fail to switch to electronic payments now, they could lose their disability or retirement benefits — as much as $5,108 a month—suspended or delayed.
Why was the change made
This shift to electronic payments is not new. The federal government has been moving towards digital deposits for a while now, but the latest phase was made official with an executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump in March of 2025.
The directive will affect not just Social Security beneficiaries but also those who have payments disbursed by the IRS or other federal agencies. The plan is to make it more effective, avoid mail theft and deceit, and get money into people’s pockets more quickly.
Jennifer Burdick, a lawyer with Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, explained that the change is most important for those who are constantly on the move. “Many of the applicants move and do not always receive their mail,” she told Telemundo 44. “The people whom I represent who get paper checks learned about this change most from me.”
Who’s most at risk
Experts contend that among those most likely to be affected by this change are some of the country’s most vulnerable members — including those who are unbanked, unhoused, or without ready access to the internet.
Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, explained that these people typically don’t have the skills or the capability to make the switch online. “They’re the ones who most need help,” she said.
Unless they do something, their payments could be terminated — something that would have a ruinous impact on retirees and people with disabilities who depend on this income to buy food, find shelter, and pay for medicine.
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How to keep receiving your payments
The SSA made one thing certain: from here on out, there are only two ways to receive Social Security benefits.
1. Direct deposit into your bank account
This is the safest and most convenient choice. If you have an existing account with a bank, you can sign up online or in your bank for direct deposit.
You can go to GoDirect.gov and have it done in minutes. If you don’t have an account with a bank, the government has tools to assist you in getting started, including FDIC.gov/GetBanked and MyCreditUnion.gov, which offer low-cost and secure banking options.
Switching to direct deposit keeps you from waiting for your money longer and prevents lost or stolen checks.
2. Direct express debit card
If you do not have or do not wish to have a bank account, you can still receive your benefits with the Direct Express debit card, which is a government-sponsored prepaid card that is distributed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Your monthly benefit is pre-loaded onto this card, which you can use to make purchases, pay bills, or receive cash back — all like a normal debit card.
To apply for a Direct Express card, you can call the Treasury Electronic Payment Solutions Center at 1-800-967-6857, or stop by your local Social Security office for help.
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Don’t wait — Act now
The SSA has insisted that anyone who is still being paid via paper checks must act now in order to prevent disruptions. It takes only a few minutes to establish an electronic payment system, but it may avoid significant future financial hardship.
Now that this conversion is here to stay, it’s not only convenient to switch to electronic payments — it’s crucial to maintaining the smooth delivery of your Social Security benefits every month.
In a nutshell, either way — through direct deposit or the Direct Express card — taking this step now ensures you’ll continue to receive your payments — securely and on time.
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