The Social Security Administration (SSA) has put a big change in how it sends out payment for retirement to thousands of Americans. For years, the old way was the paper check in the mail to those who got the money. This is changing with a rule from the government.
The U.S. Treasury Office will stop giving out most paper checks for money paid by the government, including benefits from Social Security retirement, after September 30, 2025.
Social Security Paper Checks Ending: What You Must Do
The goal is to make it more safe and cut down on costs. Checks in paper form have been found to be a bad way to pay. They can be lost, stolen, or caught in the mail. This can cause a hard time for those who get money in the mail. This is all an executive order by President Donald Trump, so, it must be done as directed.
Electronic forms of payment are viewed as more safe and steady, and the statistics back this. Moving away from checks also saves money for the federal government because printing and mailing checks costs more than doing electronic transactions.
People who are getting money now by paper check need to make arrangements to change to an electronic way of getting the money before the cut-off date. If they do not, they may not get their benefits paid out. The Social Security Administration has been letting those it affects know about the change by sending letters and by telling the public.
Two Kinds of Electronic Payment Options for Social Security
Two types of electronic ways to get the Social Security benefits are possible. The first and most used way is direct deposit to a personal bank or credit union account. Using this option, the money is put into the account by computer on each payment day. This means it is available to the person right away.
The second way is the Direct Express debit card. This is a pre-paid card that the Treasury Department gives to those who do not have or want to use a bank account. Money is put into the card each month.
People who have this card can buy things, pay bills, and take out cash from ATMs around the U.S. The card has no costs each month for simple services and works almost like a regular debit card from a bank.
Social Security Paper Checks: Who Can Still Receive Them?
Signing up for either electronic way is easy. For the direct deposit, a person can change their payment information on their my Social Security account. They can do this by calling the free number for the SSA or calling their bank. To get a Direct Express® card, a person can apply online or call the program’s special sign-up center.
While most people must change to electronic payments, a few exceptions are there. People who are 90 years old or more may not have to change to electronic payments. This is because some older people may have trouble with new technology or using banking services online.
Other exceptions may be given if a person lives in a place with no banks or if they have a mental disability that keeps them from using an electronic account.
To get an exception, the person (or someone who cares for them) must ask the Treasury Department. Each case is looked at one by one and approved if it meets the rules.
Also, people who do not speak English can get help so they know the change and can do what they need to do to make the change. The SSA says that people should make the change to electronic payments before the deadline is September 30, 2025.
This will help avoid problems at the last minute and make sure money will keep being paid. The person can check that they made the change by looking at their next payment method message from the SSA.
