283,000 Americans still get their Social Security check in the mail — and that paper check is ending in 2026. The Treasury was ordered to stop issuing paper checks in September 2025, and Social Security says it will finish moving everyone to electronic payments by the end of 2026. A paper check is 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen than an electronic payment, and the average check is about $2,095 a month — too much money to risk on an envelope. This explainer covers who is still on paper, the two free ways to switch (direct deposit, or the Direct Express card if you have no bank account), the exact phone numbers to call, and the rare waiver exceptions. Follow US Money Guide for daily money tips!
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Educational content, not financial advice.
