By Dana Corwin, Director, Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services
The New York State Office for Aging has informed all the area agencies on aging about a directive for all social security check payments. In the middle of July 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued an update for anyone receiving a monthly Social Security check. “No longer issue paper checks…” This is now an all-electronic payment system by direct deposit, it is intended to “improve speed, efficiency, save money, and improve security”, according to the July 14, 2025 notification.
According to SSA, less than 1% of beneficiaries still receive paper checks. If you’re among that 1%, you must take action to continue receiving your benefits. So, if you are one of the 1%- what can you do?
You can enroll in direct deposit at a bank or credit union or enroll in the Direct Express ® card. The card option is for people that do not have a bank account. It is a debit card.
If you still receive a check, you should have had a notice about this in your paper check that you receive every month. You need to pick one or the other option and can do this by visiting the website https://www.ssa.gov/deposit/ to read more about the direct deposit or the Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®
If you do not use the internet option, you can call 1-800-333-1795, the service is available in English and Spanish.
The final option is to apply for a waiver to continue to get the paper check. To access this option there is a form online at https://godirect.gov/gpw/resources/docs/FS_Form_1201W.pdf or to call 855-290-1545. The 3 choices to consider for the waiver are as follows:
Receiving payments electronically will impose a hardship on me because (check one):
- You have a mental impairment
- You live in a remote area without banking infrastructure
- You were born on or before May 1, 1921
You have a few options direct deposit into your bank, monthly payment loading onto a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®, or apply for a waiver to continue to get a paper check.
Make sure you are prepared and all taken care of in your choice of monthly SSA benefit delivery. If you have questions, please call our NY Connects helpline at 716-753-4582. Education, information, and action are our tools! Remember to PLAN (please look at now) as you age. So that you can be equipped to age well at home!
