Yes, the U.S. federal government discontinued issuing paper checks for Social Security and other federal payments starting September 30, 2025, transitioning all beneficiaries to electronic payments like direct deposit or the Direct Express prepaid debit card as mandated by Executive Order 14247. This move aims to modernize payments, reduce fraud, and improve efficiency, affecting the less than 1% of recipients who still received paper checks.
As of Sept. 30, 2025, the government has mandated that all federal benefit payments, including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits transition exclusively to electronic methods. Paper checks have been phased out for nearly all federal payments.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that the federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments on September 30, 2025. If you are one of the few people who still receives a federal benefit check, it's time to switch to an electronic payment method.
Physical Social Security Checks are Being Discontinued. Here Are Your Other Options. Jordyn joined Investopedia in February 2025.
Yes, Social Security recipients received a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, but the bigger news is that they are getting a larger 2.8% COLA for 2026, announced in October 2025, which began with January 2026 payments, increasing average benefits by about $56 per month. The 2025 COLA was a smaller 2.5% increase, while the 2026 adjustment reflects moderating inflation, leading to higher payments starting in the new year.
Qualifying for the third stimulus check
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you will automatically qualify for the third stimulus check which will be in the amount $1400.
The Social Security Administration announced in October that beneficiaries will see a 2.8% increase in their monthly payments, known as the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. Individuals receiving Social Security benefits will notice the increase starting in January 2026.
Yes, a bill to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) was passed by Congress and signed into law as the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, becoming effective for benefits payable after December 2023. This landmark bipartisan legislation ended decades of reduced Social Security benefits for many former public servants, like teachers and law enforcement, who also earned pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security.
The dollar amount increase to checks will vary depending on a person's benefit amount, but the average Social Security Retirement benefit, $2,008.31 in July 2025, will grow by about $56.
However, there is no evidence that any of the presidents has stolen a dime from Social Security. Usually, payroll taxes paid by workers are deposited in the trust funds, and the surplus funds are invested in special-issue securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government.
The era of the paper Social Security check is officially drawing to a close. As of September 30, 2025, the U.S. government has mandated that all federal benefits payments transition exclusively to electronic payments. This means that after this date, you will no longer receive a physical check in the mail.
The extra $144 added to Social Security usually comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which pays back some or all your Part B premium, showing up as extra money in your check if it's deducted from your Social Security. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium, live in a plan's service area, and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan that offers this "rebate," with the amount varying by plan and location.
Social Security Is Going Digital. Are You Ready? If you or a loved one receives Social Security benefits, an important change is here. Starting September 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments.
The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
The Act repealed two federal laws—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision—which can reduce Social Security benefits when someone receives a pension for work on which they did not pay Social Security taxes.
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act significantly affects federal taxes, credits and deductions. It was signed into law on July 4, 2025, as Public Law 119-21, and takes effect in 2025.
Millions of Social Security recipients automatically received COVID-19 stimulus payments through the IRS using SSA and RRB data. Payments included up to $1,200 per individual in round one, $600 in round two, and $1,400 in round three, with extra amounts for dependents.
The Trump administration is halting the use of paper checks after Sept. 30 for most federal payments. These include benefits for Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, veterans' benefits and tax refunds.
According to the IRS, Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who weren't required to file federal tax returns for 2018 or 2019 will receive $1,200 stimulus payments automatically based on information contained in their “1099” benefit statements.