Changes to Social Security Payments
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued a reminder that paper checks will soon be discontinued for beneficiaries.
As of September 30, the agency will stop sending out benefits through the mail, pushing beneficiaries to adopt electronic payment methods instead.
In a recent post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, SSA stated, “Social Security has switched to electronic payments! If you still receive a paper check, act now.”
Importance of the Change
This shift is part of a larger federal initiative following an executive order from former President Donald Trump in March, which aims to “modernize payments to American bank accounts.”
It’s worth noting that this order mandates all federal payments—including Social Security, Supplementary Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), vendor payments, and tax refunds—be made electronically by September 30, 2025.
As of July, records showed that 521,644 payments were still being issued as physical checks. While that number is relatively small compared to the total number of beneficiaries, future deadlines will impact those who haven’t yet transitioned.
How to Switch to Digital Payments
Beneficiaries have two main options for setting up digital payments:
- Direct Deposit: Social Security beneficiaries can establish or modify direct deposits through their My Social Security account. For those receiving SSI or living internationally, assistance is available by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- Direct Express Card: This option provides prepaid debit cards for individuals without bank accounts. To register, call 1-800-333-1795 or visit www.usdirectexpress.com.
The SSA has technicians available to assist with this transition and address any questions. To avoid complications, it’s encouraged that beneficiaries take action before the September 30 deadline.
Reasons Behind the Change
The White House’s fact sheet related to the executive order highlighted the issues caused by physical checks, such as unnecessary costs, delays, fraud, payment loss, theft, and overall inefficiency.
Additionally, it noted that complaints about electronic theft have “increased significantly” since the Covid-19 pandemic, with Treasury checks being 16 times more likely to be reported as “lost, stolen, returned, or altered” compared to electronic payments.
Maintaining the infrastructure for paper checks is projected to cost taxpayers over $657 million in 2024 alone, according to the White House.
Exceptions
While most payments will transition to electronic methods, some recipients may still receive paper checks but only under specific circumstances.
An SSA spokesperson noted, “In March 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14247 mandating that by September 30, 2025, all federal payments will be electronic.” They added, “We will continue to issue paper checks if the beneficiary does not have any other means of receiving the payment.”
