Yes, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS are phasing out paper checks for most federal payments, including Social Security and tax refunds, by September 30, 2025. Pursuant to Executive Order 14247, this initiative aims to increase security and efficiency, requiring beneficiaries to switch to direct deposit or the Direct Express® prepaid debit card.
The IRS is phasing out paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers, effective September 30, 2025. This change affects the 7% of taxpayers who still receive paper checks, requiring them to switch to an electronic refund method.
In August 2025, 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. Veterans who still receive paper federal check should switch to an electronic payment method.
Effective September 30, in accordance with Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account, federal benefit payments will primarily be issued electronically, with paper checks being phased out in most cases.
Starting September 30, 2025, the federal government will no longer send paper checks for benefits such as Social Security payments, tax refunds, or other government payments. Instead, everything will move to direct deposit or a prepaid card.
30: How to Switch to Direct Deposit. Starting on September 30, 2025, the federal government will no longer send paper checks for benefit payments.
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.
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.
Washington, DC – Big changes are coming! Starting September 30, 2025, the federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments.
But the end of an era will come on Sept. 30, 2025. That's when the Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop issuing paper checks for monthly benefit payments. The agency will switch to only electronic payments.
Social Security checks are increasing by 2.8% in January 2026 due to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), raising average payments by about $56 monthly, but higher Medicare Part B premiums (up to $202.90) will reduce the net gain. Other recent changes include retroactive payments for some affected by Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)/Government Pension Offset (GPO), new bank account checks for SSI applicants, and upcoming shifts towards digital payments.
Digital. Generally, after September 30, 2025, the Treasury Department has said that all federal agencies will cease sending and receiving paper checks as a form of payment. However, there are ways to pay the IRS without a check and to get a tax refund without a bank account.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, today announced that paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers will be phased out beginning on Sept. 30, 2025, as required by Executive Order 14247, to the extent permitted by law.
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.
IRS is moving away from sending paper refund checks for most taxpayers. The change will improve security, speed up refunds and lower costs. Here's what that means for you: File your tax return as usual.
Starting September 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments. This change is part of a broader government-wide initiative to modernize payment systems and enhance service delivery.
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.
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.