Social Security Payments Transition to Digital Only by 2025

Washington, D.C. — Starting in fall 2025, paper Social Security checks will no longer be issued. Nearly 500,000 recipients still rely on physical checks for their monthly benefits, according to the White House.

The shift to all-digital payments has been prompted by increased instances of mail theft and fraud related to paper checks during the COVID-19 pandemic. An executive order issued by the administration outlines that Treasury Department checks are 16 times more likely to be reported lost, stolen, or altered compared to electronic payments.

This directive, titled “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” mandates that by September 30, 2025, all federal payments—including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)—will be transitioned to electronic methods. Acceptable forms of digital payment include direct deposit, debit and prepaid cards, and digital wallets.

Brandon Spear, CEO of payment services firm TreviPay, emphasized the benefits of digitizing payments but raised concerns about the timeline. He stated, “This will not be a fast thing to do as government agencies must navigate this complex transition while ensuring security and accessibility.”

Some individuals will still have the option of receiving non-digital payments under specific circumstances, such as lack of access to banking or in emergency situations. Requests for exceptions can be made through the Department of the Treasury or the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Critics, including Matt Watkins, founder of Watkins Public Affairs, warn that this transition could harm seniors who lack digital access. He noted the bizarre timing, as the government is simultaneously cutting funding for programs that aim to improve digital equity.

Watkins remarked, “Without expanded navigator programs, we will see a spike in missed payments and preventable financial crises for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

For those who still receive physical checks, the SSA advises beneficiaries to keep their personal information updated and to stay informed about the transition. With the deadline approaching, it is critical for recipients to prepare for the shift to digital payments.