Most federal benefit payments will shift to electronic delivery at the end of this month, but Social Security officials say paper checks will not disappear entirely.
Under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March, the Treasury Department and other agencies must phase out paper checks by Sept. 30 in favor of direct deposit, prepaid cards, and other electronic methods. The change is intended to reduce fraud, improve efficiency, and save taxpayer dollars.
“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,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in mid-August, when the shift away from paper was first announced….