The Treasury and Social Security Administration will stop mailing disability checks, pushing nearly half a million recipients to switch to direct deposit or a Direct Express card before the deadline.
Starting this fall, disability beneficiaries who still rely on paper checks must move to an electronic option or risk missing their October payment. Officials say the shift protects recipients from theft and trims federal costs that top a dollar per printed check.
How to switch from paper checks to secure electronic SSDI payments before the deadline
Feeling overwhelmed? Relax — most people can finish the change in minutes online. Here’s what to do:
- Create or sign in to a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount.
- Pick your method:
- Direct deposit to any U.S. bank or credit union (routing and account numbers required).
- Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®, a government‑backed prepaid card that automatically loads your benefit each month.
- Double‑check every entry. A typo can delay or suspend your payment.
Prefer to handle it in person? You can visit any SSA field office and complete Form 1199A with bank details.
Important verification steps every Social Security Disability Insurance recipient must follow
Beginning April 14, 2025, the agency will add an extra identity check whenever you adjust bank info. Why? To stop impostors from rerouting benefits. If you lack reliable internet, you’ll need to show a photo ID at an SSA office. Otherwise, expect to answer online security questions or use two‑factor authentication. Still have doubts? Call 800‑772‑1213 for free assistance. Below, a quick reference table:
| Date | What happens | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2025 | Enhanced ID checks start | Be ready with photo ID or online verification |
| Sept 30, 2025 | Final paper checks mailed | Complete payment switch before this date |
| Oct 2025 onward | No checks issued | Electronic deposits only; missed switch = suspended benefits |
Key dates and consequences if you miss the September 30 transition deadline for your disability benefits
Roughly 494,000 Americans still get SSDI by mail. If even one of them fails to update before September 30, their payment will simply not go out in October; the SSA will hold funds until an electronic choice is on file. Lost checks, fraud, and printing costs—more than $100 million a year—will also disappear once the program is fully digital, officials note.
Switch now, verify your identity by mid‑April, and sleep easier knowing your disability benefit will arrive securely every month.