Starting in October 2025, the U.S. federal government will no longer send paper checks for benefit programs, including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The change aims to reduce costs, minimize fraud, and speed up payments, but it’s causing concern for the roughly half a million Americans still relying on paper checks for their income. If you’re one of them, it’s crucial to take action now to avoid any payment delays.
Why Is the Government Ending Paper Checks?
The decision to phase out paper checks stems from a White House executive order signed by President Donald Trump on March 25, 2025. The order, titled Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, mandates that all federal payments—including Social Security and tax refunds—must be made electronically by September 30, 2025. After this date, paper checks will no longer be available, and only digital payments will be issued.
The reasons behind this change are straightforward:
Cost Savings: It costs the federal government around $650 million every year to print and mail paper checks. Switching to electronic transfers will save taxpayers money, with the government estimating that it will save $1 billion over the next decade.
Better Security: Paper checks are vulnerable to fraud—lost or stolen checks can be easily intercepted. Direct deposit and other digital options provide a much safer way to transfer funds, reducing the risk of scams.
Faster Delivery: Digital payments are quicker. With no postal delays or issues with lost mail, people will receive their benefits more reliably and promptly.
Who Will Be Affected?
Currently, around 480,000 people—about 7% of Social Security recipients—still receive paper checks. This group is mainly made up of older Americans or those who live in rural areas with limited internet access or banking services. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already moved 99% of beneficiaries to electronic payments, and this final phase is aimed at the remaining group still using paper checks.
If you’re one of the few remaining recipients of paper checks, you need to make the switch to electronic payments before September 30, 2025. After this deadline, you will only receive your payment through direct deposit, a prepaid debit card, or other digital methods. If you miss the deadline, your October 2025 payment could be delayed, which could cause serious financial issues for those who rely on this money for daily living.
How to Make the Switch
To avoid any disruption, follow these steps to switch to electronic payments:
Direct Deposit: If you have a bank account, setting up direct deposit is the easiest way to receive your payments.
Direct Express Debit Card: If you don’t have a bank account, you can use the Direct Express card, which works like a prepaid debit card.
Digital Wallets: Some people may choose to use digital wallets, although this option is less common.
You may receive an email from the SSA with instructions on how to make the switch, but don’t wait. Start the process now to avoid the risk of delayed payments. While there are a few exceptions for people with no banking access or those receiving disaster relief payments, the vast majority of people will need to make the switch by the deadline.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you don’t make the change before September 30, 2025, you risk having your payment delayed. For individuals who rely on these checks to pay bills or buy essentials, this could be a major problem. It’s important to act now to ensure that you don’t face a payment interruption in October 2025.
The federal government’s decision to eliminate paper checks for Social Security, SSI, and other federal programs is aimed at saving money, reducing fraud, and speeding up payments. While this is a positive step for the majority of beneficiaries, it will affect the small group who still rely on paper checks. If you’re one of those individuals, make sure to switch to electronic payment methods before September 30, 2025, to avoid any delays in your benefits. There’s no need to panic, but timely action is essential to ensure that your payments continue smoothly.
