If you are a Social Security recipient who still receives a paper check, get ready for a big change.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order mandating that the federal government stop issuing paper checks. The order covers all agencies – the Internal Revenue Service, Education Department, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration. It goes into effect Sept. 30.
“Reducing paper checks has been a longstanding bipartisan goal that our administration is finally putting into action. Thanks to President Trump, this will help reduce fraud and theft. It will also remove delays that prevent hardworking Americans from receiving their vital payments,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement.
The reason for the switch is cost savings. Sending a paper check costs around 50 cents compared to 15 cents for an electronic payment. Also, paper checks are 16 more likely to be lost or stolen, the agency said.
What to do if you still receive a paper check
The agency said if you are one of the few beneficiaries still receiving a paper check – they estimate that figure at around 0.8% or 500,000 recipients – you should switch to an electronic payment.
If you are a beneficiary who already receives electronic payments, you don’t have to do anything.
If you do receive a paper check, you should:
- Call the Social Security Administration that pays your benefits and follow their instructions for enrolling in direct deposit. A list of the contact information can be found here.
- Enroll online at GoDirect.gov
- Call the Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1-800-967-6857, Monday – Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. ET (8 a.m.-6 p.m. CT).
- If you do not have a bank account to receive a direct deposit, you can open an account at FDIC: GetBanked or MyCreditUnion.gov. You can also sign up for Direct Express Debit Mastercard, a Treasury-sponsored debit card where you can receive your monthly payment.
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