Social Security, VA benefits: Paper payments ending this year =============== Sponsored By Toggle Menu Go Go Primary Menu * Trending * All Topics LIVE TV On Balance with Leland Vittert Trending dismiss alert How you receive your Social Security, VA benefits may change in fall ==================================================================== Addy Bink Video Player is loading. Play Video Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment COLA Unmute Current Time 0:03 / Duration 2:14 Loaded: 17.80% 0:03 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE 1x Playback Rate Chapters * Chapters Descriptions * descriptions off, selected Captions * captions settings, opens captions settings dialog * captions off, selected * Quality * 360p * 720p * 1080p * Auto, selected Audio Track * default, selected Fullscreen Share Pause This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment COLA Taylor Swift Eras Tour Movie Who will replace Vanna White? Pumpkin Spice Addiction? Not exactly, but WellSpan doctor says it's a strong mental association How You Can Swim Safe This Summer Why migraines may be worse in the summer Why are there fireworks on July 4th? Why do graduates wear a Cap and Gown? Allergist's tips and tricks to survive allergy season | Morning in America What the founder of Mother's Day wanted for moms How much does the average wedding cost in your state? Advertisement Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters . Subscribe Now Your Money ========== Submit (NEXSTAR) — There have been several changes to government benefit payments already this year, including and for others. In about two months, another change is expected to take effect — this one targeting how beneficiaries are paid. Social Security payment change Back in March, President Donald Trump signed an to modernize “payments to and from America’s bank account.” The order claimed that paper checks and money orders from the nation’s general fund “are 16 times more likely to be reported lost or stolen, returned undeliverable, or altered” compared to funds that are disbursed electronically. To reduce such occurrences and promote “operational efficiency,” Trump’s order mandates that funds sent out by the federal government be done electronically, with a few exceptions. The order impacts “all Federal disbursements inclusive of intragovernmental payments, benefits payments, vendor payments, and tax refunds.” That includes any benefits sent out by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under Trump’s order, acceptable digital payment methods include direct deposit, prepaid cards, digital wallets, real-time payment systems, and “other modern electronic payment options.” Social Security paper payments ending Paper payments are set to end on September 30, with a few exceptions. If you are without access to banking services or electronic payment systems, you may still be able to receive a non-electronic payment. Other exceptions outlined in Trump’s order include “emergency payments where electronic disbursement would cause undue hardship,” transactions in which non-electronic payments are “necessary or desirable,” and other situations as determined by the Treasury Secretary. The Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs did not immediately respond to Nexstar’s request for additional information. from the former shows more than 99 percent of beneficiaries already receive payments via direct deposit. Social Security: How to receive benefits electronically If you don’t already receive benefit payments electronically, you’ll need to log into your account to update your , speak with a representative, or contact your bank. The latter can provide your direct deposit information to Social Security on your behalf. You can also update your online or over the phone. It’s also worth noting that the order calls for “the payment of Federal receipts” to be made electronically as well. That means if you owe federal taxes, you may not be able to send it in as a check or an envelope of cash and coins. The same could be said for federal student loan payments.

How you receive your Social Security, VA benefits may change in fall

The U.S. government is transitioning Social Security and VA benefits from paper payments to electronic methods, with paper checks ending on September 30, 2025. The change, mandated by President Donald Trump's 2025 order, aims to reduce fraud and improve efficiency, though exceptions exist for beneficiaries without access to electronic payment systems.