Social Security Will No Longer Make Benefit Payments By Check Starting Sept. 30

Starting September 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments, the administration announced this week. It says the change is part of a “broader government-wide initiative to modernize payment systems and enhance service delivery.” 
 

In the State of Maine alone there are still over 4,000 recipients receiving benefits by paper check. People who currently receive paper checks will have two 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 Securityaccount online.