Social Security Transition to Electronic Payments—What Beneficiaries Receiving Paper Checks Need to Know
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 14, 2025
Starting September 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments. This change is part of a broader government-wide initiative to modernize payment systems and enhance service delivery. By moving to electronic payments exclusively, we aim to improve efficiency, security, and ensure beneficiaries receive their monthly benefits promptly.
Who Does This Affect?
This transition primarily affects a small group of beneficiaries who have not yet switched to electronic payment methods. Less than one percent of beneficiaries currently get paper checks. We encourage these individuals to enroll in direct deposit or opt for the Direct Express® card to continue receiving their monthly benefits timely.
Why the Shift to Electronic Payments?
The transition from paper checks to electronic payments offers several important advantages:
- Speed and Efficiency: Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) are processed more quickly than paper checks, helping beneficiaries receive their payments on time without delays.
- Cost Savings: According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, issuing a paper check costs about 50 cents, whereas an EFT costs less than 15 cents. This shift could save the federal government millions of dollars annually.
- Enhanced Security: Paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen compared to electronic payments, increasing the risk of fraud. Electronic payments provide a safer, more secure way to receive benefits.
What We’re Doing to Help
We’re proactively sending notices to people who currently receive paper checks, to explain the upcoming change and highlight the benefits of switching to electronic payments. In addition, all benefit checks will include an insert explaining the steps a beneficiary can take to transition to electronic payments, and our technicians are ready to assist. These efforts aim to ensure a smooth transition and help recipients understand their options.
Your Payment Options
People who currently receive paper checks have two convenient options to receive their Social Security payments electronically:
- Direct Deposit: Beneficiaries should enroll in direct deposit with their financial institution. Payments can be deposited directly into your checking or savings account.
- Direct Express® Card: For people without a bank account, the Direct Express card is a prepaid debit card designed specifically for federal benefit payments.
You can update your payment information anytime through your personal my Social Security account online.
For more details and to learn how to enroll in direct deposit or obtain a Direct Express card, please visit www.ssa.gov/deposit/.
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ERICK G.
This is Erick Gabriel and I have a federal government background as a fbi may I get on SSA can you contact me at this email for more information
John
An AI Models is a program that learns from data to recognize patterns, make predictions, and solve tasks like chat, images, or recommendations.
Louis b.
Chat
Caroline S.
Hi, I know you guys are busy these days! I am wondering if you will ever be able to automate or speed up Direct Deposit Changes? You published a news update months ago, saying that changing to a new back account online would take only a few days “starting in March 2025.” Since then, when I start to make a change, it offers to begin month-after-next at the earliest! Even starting with next month’s payment world be so helpful for recipients. Hoping you haven’t forgotten that you announced this, and hope it happens 🙂
Chuck L.
if you have a mysocialsecuriy account you can call social security and they can put you in touch with the direct deposit team that can process your direct deposit in 24-48 hours. You HAVE TO have a social security online account so they can verify it’s you.
PATRICK D.
I am fine too
Janet H.
I stopped receiving my SSI check in December. I recently found out it had been sent to my old address and returned. Will I be able to get my back checks when they get my new address?
Reberta S.
I went to the gallatin office and set up a phone call for disability, got a call from the rudest man from there and he said I wouldn’t get but $200.00 a month and was asking alot of questions that I didn’t have the answer’s to at the time. He was just rude. I’m on oxygen and have COPD and emphysema + PAD. It’s a artery disease and I have had it since 2012 and before that!! I’m going to talk to a lawyer to get this rude man fired for treating me like a POS. Then I am going to try again. Thanks
Michael M.
My food stamp card got stolen by a bad white man
Angelo L.
Why do you have to be racist? Can’t you just say that your food stamp card got stolen by a bad man?
Jack W.
Last March 2025 I went to Social Security Office in San Marcos, Texas and asked them to directly deposit to Direct Express Account but they never directly deposit to Direct Express Account for seven (7) straight months. One of your co-worker said Direct Express Account banned me to enroll. I know it must be HOGWASH. Direct Express is more than happy to welcome me to join. Please make Social Security Office directly deposit my check to Direct Express Account.
Ermelinda B.
Why is it I am only getting $23.00 on/of food stamps???
Julie A.
I went to both of our banks and they said they can not do anything at all to help. So, telling people to go to their bank is a BIG FAT LIE!!!
PRECISELY, HOW do we get Direct Deposit without being stuck on hold/ignore for days at a time or dealing with people with bad attitudes in the local offices?????????????
Leslie F.
With utmost patience and don’t give up on Direct Express if you want that card. Yes they’re busy but they will answer you when able to.
Kathy W.
I’ve found it much easier to talk with someone at Social Security by calling as soon as they open. Since there’s not an office in my city, I called the next smaller city that does have an office.