Still Getting a Paper Benefit Check? How the Switch to Electronic Payments Affects You

Are you, or is someone you love, still getting a paper check from the federal government? If so, the rules have changed, and it is worth finding out where you stand before a payment is delayed.

In 2025, Treasury announced it would stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments starting September 30, 2025. That includes Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and other federal benefits. Social Security said in June 2026 that it plans to complete the full transition to electronic payments for all beneficiaries this year. Below are the most common myths about the change, followed by what is actually true.

Myth 1: "My check has always come in the mail, so it will keep coming"

The reality is that Treasury has moved away from paper. Executive Order 14247, signed in March 2025, directed Treasury to stop issuing paper checks for federal payments by September 30, 2025, with limited exceptions. Social Security says federal law requires benefit payments to be made electronically.

Social Security's own staff guidance warned that people who stayed on paper checks after that date may see disruptions or delays in getting paid. If you still get a check, do not wait until one fails to arrive. Switch now.

Myth 2: "I need a bank account to get my money"

You do not have to have a bank account. There are two electronic ways to be paid. One is direct deposit into a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union. The other is the Direct Express Debit Mastercard, a prepaid card for people who do not have a bank account. Treasury says no credit check is required for Direct Express.

If you want a bank account, Treasury points people to the FDIC's GetBanked site and MyCreditUnion.gov to learn how to open one. Whichever option you choose, ask about fees and ATM access before you decide, since terms differ.

Myth 3: "This only affects Social Security"

Social Security and SSI are the biggest programs, but the change is not limited to them. Treasury's announcement says that anyone still getting a paper check for Social Security, veterans benefits or any other federal benefit should enroll in direct deposit. If you get more than one federal payment, check each one.

Myth 4: "Switching is complicated, and I would have to go to an office"

Switching is usually simpler than people expect. You can sign up online through your personal my Social Security account, through Treasury's GoDirect.gov site or by phone. GoDirect lists 1-877-874-6347 for enrolling in direct deposit or Direct Express, and Social Security's main number is 1-800-772-1213. You can also ask your bank or credit union for help, or enroll by mail with a form from GoDirect.

What to have ready: your Social Security number, information from your most recent federal benefit check or your claim number, and, for direct deposit, your bank's routing number and your account number and type, checking or savings. That information is often printed on your personal checks.

Myth 5: "I will just ask for an exception"

Exceptions exist, but they are narrow. Social Security describes them as available in extremely rare circumstances, and Treasury, not Social Security, decides. The grounds that apply to most individuals are an inability to manage an account because of a mental impairment, or living in a remote location without the infrastructure for electronic payments. Certain people born before May 1, 1921 are handled separately.

A waiver request is not automatic, since Treasury can reject it, and a request still pending when checks stop may leave you without a payment. If you think you qualify, go to ssa.gov/deposit for the current waiver contact and instructions, and ask Social Security about your options too. For most people, switching to direct deposit or Direct Express is the faster and surer path.

Myth 6: "A caller who says they can help me switch is probably legitimate"

Be careful. Treasury warns about government impersonation scams as part of this change. Scammers know people are being told to switch, and they may call, text or email, claiming to be from Social Security or Treasury and asking for your bank details or a fee.

Before you respond to any request, look up the agency's number on its official website and call it yourself. Do not use a number from a text, email or caller. If you are unsure, ask a trusted friend, family member or your bank. Never give your Social Security number or bank information to someone who contacted you first and pressures you to act fast.

Myth 7: "Paper is safer because I can see it"

Social Security says paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered or returned undeliverable than electronic payments. Mail theft and check fraud are real risks, and a check that disappears can mean waiting for a replacement. With direct deposit, your money goes straight into your account on your normal payment date.

Not sure whether you are affected?

If you already get your benefit by direct deposit or on a Direct Express card, Treasury says you do not need to do anything. If you are not sure how you are paid, look at whether money lands in your account each month or whether an envelope arrives in the mail. Signing in to your my Social Security account, or calling 1-800-772-1213, can confirm how Social Security is paying you. If you get benefits from another agency, such as veterans benefits, ask that agency directly.

What stays the same

Switching changes how your money arrives, not how much you get. Social Security says that with direct deposit your payment goes automatically into your account every month, and the funds are available as soon as business opens on the day you normally receive your payment. You also stop paying check-cashing fees, if you were paying any.

A five-step switch plan

Step 1: Decide where the money should go, a bank or credit union account or a Direct Express card. Step 2: Gather your Social Security number, your claim number or latest check information and, if you use a bank, your routing and account numbers. Step 3: Enroll through my Social Security, GoDirect.gov or by phone, using only the official numbers. Step 4: Write down the date you enrolled and any confirmation. Step 5: Check your account around your next payment date, and call if the money is not there.

If you are helping a parent or relative

Many people still on paper checks are older, and the switch is a good time to sit down together. Go through the steps with them rather than doing it for them, keep their login details private and use only the official sites and numbers. Social Security can also explain what to do if a payment seems late or something looks wrong.

After you switch

Ask Social Security when to expect your first electronic payment, since timing can vary. Keep watching your account for the first month or two. If a payment does not arrive, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or the Treasury number from GoDirect.gov.

The bottom line: paper checks are now the exception, not the rule. Switching is usually quick, and it is safer than mail. If you are still getting a check, make the change soon. Details and phone numbers can change, so check ssa.gov/deposit and GoDirect.gov for the latest.