Confirmed the government will stop paying SSDI by check as of September 30– if you don’t do this, you will not get paid

Starting in 2025, a major shift is coming for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) recipients: paper checks are being permanently phased out. If you still receive your monthly benefits by mail, failing to act before the deadline could result in the suspension of your payments. Here’s what you need to know — and do — to avoid losing access to your SSDI benefits.

Paper Checks Are Ending for SSDI Payments

The Social Security Administration (SSA), in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has announced that starting September 30, 2025, all SSDI payments will be made electronically only. This means that if you’re still receiving checks by mail, you’ll need to switch to direct deposit or a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® to keep getting your money.

This change affects all federal benefit programs — and yes, SSDI is included.

Why the Government Is Making This Change

This move is part of a broader modernization effort by the federal government to:

• Improve payment security: Paper checks can be lost, stolen, or forged.
• Cut costs: It costs over $1 per check to print, mail, and process paper payments. In contrast, electronic transfers cost just a few cents.
• Reduce fraud risk: Electronic verification is more secure and traceable.

By eliminating paper checks, the government is projected to save hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Who’s Affected?

Roughly 494,000 Americans still receive SSDI and other Social Security payments by paper check. These individuals must take action before the September 30, 2025 deadline or face automatic suspension of their benefits.

Payment Method	Still Allowed After Sept 30, 2025?
Paper Check	No
Direct Deposit	Yes
Direct Express® Card	Yes

What You Need to Do Now

To continue receiving your SSDI payments without interruption:

1. Create or Log Into Your “my Social Security” Account

Visit ssa.gov/myaccount to securely manage your benefits.

2. Choose an Electronic Payment Method

You have two options:

• Direct deposit into a bank or credit union account
• Direct Express® Debit Card, a government-backed prepaid debit card

For direct deposit, you’ll need:

• Bank or credit union name
• Routing number
• Account number
• Type of account (checking or savings)

For the Direct Express® card, no bank account is required. Payments are automatically loaded each month, and the card can be used for purchases, ATM withdrawals, and online payments.

3. Avoid Errors

Make sure all your banking information is accurate. Mistakes could delay your payments or lead to a temporary suspension.

Important Date: April 14, 2025

Starting April 14, 2025, you’ll be required to verify your identity when updating your payment method or bank account information.

You can verify in one of two ways:

• Online authentication using secure digital tools through your SSA account
• In-person verification at a Social Security office if you’re unable to complete the process online

This step is being added to prevent fraud and ensure that only authorized individuals can change sensitive payment information.

This is a critical update for nearly half a million SSDI beneficiaries. If you’re one of them, act now — don’t wait until the last minute. Transitioning to electronic payments not only protects your income but also ensures the government can continue delivering benefits more efficiently.

FAQs