Social Security Is Phasing Out Paper Checks by the End of 2026: What to Do Now
The federal government has stopped mailing most paper checks, and Social Security wants every beneficiary on direct deposit or a Direct Express card by the end of 2026. Fewer than 1 percent of recipients still get a check in the mail. Here is who is affected, how to switch, and the narrow exceptions that let a few people keep paper.
If a paper Social Security check still lands in your mailbox each month, that arrangement is on its way out. The federal government has stopped mailing most checks, and the Social Security Administration says it intends to have every beneficiary paid electronically by the end of 2026. For the small group that has not switched, the time to act is now, before a missed step turns into a missed payment.
The change traces back to Executive Order 14247, signed March 25, 2025, which directed the Treasury Department to stop issuing paper checks for federal payments. It is not a cut to anyone's benefit. The dollar amount does not change. What changes is how the money reaches you: a deposit into a bank account or a load onto a prepaid card, instead of a check in the mail.
What is changing, and when
The order set a hard date. "Effective September 30, 2025, and to the extent permitted by law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall cease issuing paper checks for all Federal disbursements," it reads. That language covers Social Security and other benefit payments, tax refunds, and payments to vendors. The legal footing is older than the order: federal law at 31 U.S.C. 3332 has required most federal payments to go out by electronic funds transfer for years, with waivers allowed in limited cases.
Social Security is finishing the job on its own schedule. The agency has been mailing notices to people still receiving checks and adding an insert to each check that explains how to switch. Its stated goal is to clear out paper checks entirely by the end of 2026.
Who this affects
Most people are already done and never had to lift a finger. According to Social Security figures reported in mid-2026, 99.6 percent of beneficiaries were being paid electronically, which left more than 283,000 still getting a check in the mail. If you already use direct deposit or a Direct Express card, you do not need to do anything.
The people still on paper are the ones this is aimed at. Treasury makes its case on cost and safety. A paper check costs about 50 cents to issue, against less than 15 cents for an electronic payment. And a government check is 16 times more likely to be reported lost, stolen, altered, or returned undeliverable than an electronic transfer.
Your two options
There are two ways to get the money electronically, and you can set up either one.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Direct deposit | Your payment goes straight into your checking or savings account | Fastest to set up in your free my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount, by calling Social Security, or through your bank |
| Direct Express card | A prepaid debit Mastercard the government loads with your benefit each month | Built for people without a bank account. No sign-up cost and no monthly fee, though some cash withdrawals can carry a charge |
To enroll in either option you can use the Treasury's GoDirect.gov site or call the Treasury's Electronic Payment Solution Center. For direct deposit, the quickest route for most people is the my Social Security account, where you add your bank details yourself in a few minutes.
Who can still receive a paper check
The order leaves room for exceptions, but they are narrow and decided case by case. Treasury can waive the electronic requirement when a beneficiary cannot reasonably comply, including hardship from a mental impairment or from living in a remote area that lacks the infrastructure for electronic payments. The order also allows exceptions for people with no access to banking, for certain emergency payments, and for national security or law enforcement needs.
Waivers are not automatic. You have to ask for one. A beneficiary who thinks they qualify can call the Treasury's Electronic Payment Solution Center waiver line at 1-855-290-1545 and request an application. Some news reports say people age 90 and older may be able to keep paper checks, but even that is handled by request to Treasury, not granted on its own.
Watch for scams during the switch
A government change that nudges people to hand over bank details is the kind of moment scammers wait for. Social Security will not call, text, or email you out of the blue to demand your account number or to threaten your benefits if you do not switch right away. Real notices come by mail, and you start the switch yourself at ssa.gov or GoDirect.gov, not by answering a message that arrives first.
If someone contacts you claiming to help with the transition, treat it as suspicious and hang up. For how these schemes work and where to report them, see our guide to the frauds costing older adults billions.
What to do now
If you still get a paper check, pick a method and set it up before the end-of-year target. Direct deposit is the simplest if you have a bank account, and the Direct Express card is the fallback if you do not. Before you start, have your Social Security number and your bank routing and account numbers in front of you, or be ready to request a card.
Changing how you get paid is also a good moment to check whether you are leaving other money unclaimed. Many older adults who qualify for help with Medicare premiums and drug costs or with food benefits never sign up. A few minutes now can protect both your next payment and the rest of your budget.
This article is a news report for general information and is not financial or legal advice. Program rules, phone numbers, and deadlines can change. Confirm the details for your own situation with the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or the Treasury at GoDirect.gov before you act.
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