Paper checks remain available if you choose them
Social Security will continue to send paper checks to anyone who requests them. You do not have to switch to direct deposit, and the agency has no deadline to force you off checks. If you receive a check now, you can keep receiving checks. If you want to start receiving checks instead of direct deposit, you can request the change.
The Social Security Administration stopped mailing new beneficiaries to paper checks in 2011, but that rule applies only to people who sign up for benefits after that date. Anyone already on checks stays on checks unless they choose to change. Anyone who wants to move from direct deposit back to checks can do so by contacting Social Security directly.
Key Takeaways
- Paper checks are still mailed by Social Security and will continue to be mailed to anyone who requests them or currently receives them.
- You can switch from direct deposit to paper checks at any time by calling Social Security or visiting a field office in person.
- Checks arrive by mail on the same schedule as direct deposits — typically the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month depending on your birth date.
- If you lose a check or it does not arrive, Social Security can issue a replacement or stop payment and reissue the funds by direct deposit.
How to request or switch to paper checks
Contact Social Security directly to request paper checks. You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are shortest early in the morning or late in the week.
You can also visit a Social Security field office in person. Find your local office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID. You do not need an appointment, though calling ahead can reduce wait time.
If you are currently receiving direct deposit and want to switch to checks, the change takes effect within one or two payment cycles. Your next payment may still go to your bank account; the payment after that should arrive by mail. Social Security will send you a notice confirming the change.
When checks arrive and what to do if one is missing
Social Security mails checks on a schedule based on your birth date. If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, your check arrives on the second Wednesday. If between the 11th and 20th, it arrives on the third Wednesday. If between the 21st and 31st, it arrives on the fourth Wednesday. This schedule applies every month.
Checks typically take three to five business days to arrive after they are mailed. If your check does not arrive within a week of the expected date, contact Social Security. They can verify whether the check was mailed, stop payment on a lost check, and either reissue it or deposit the funds directly to a bank account if you provide one.
Do not cash a check if you receive a replacement after reporting it lost. If both arrive, you must return the duplicate to Social Security or your bank. Cashing both is considered fraud and can result in overpayment recovery and criminal charges.
Why some people prefer checks over direct deposit
Paper checks work for people without a bank account, those who distrust electronic banking, and older adults who have managed finances by mail for decades. Checks also create a paper record that some people find easier to track than online banking statements.
Checks do carry real costs: postage, processing time, and the risk of loss or theft in the mail. Direct deposit is faster, safer, and free. But Social Security recognizes that not everyone has access to banking or prefers electronic payment, which is why the agency continues to mail checks despite the expense.
Direct deposit as an alternative
If you receive checks now but want to switch to direct deposit, you can do so at any time. Direct deposit deposits your payment into a bank or credit union account on the same day each month — typically two days before the check would arrive by mail.
You need a checking or savings account to set up direct deposit. If you do not have one, many credit unions and banks offer no-fee accounts. Some offer accounts specifically for people with no credit history or prior banking relationship. You can also use a prepaid debit card account if it accepts direct deposit.
To switch to direct deposit, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local field office. You will need to provide your bank's routing number and your account number. The change takes one or two payment cycles to process.
What happens if you move or your address changes
If you move, notify Social Security of your new address before you leave. You can update your address by phone at 1-800-772-1213, online at ssa.gov (if you have a my Social Security account), or in person at a field office.
If Social Security does not have your new address, your check will be returned to them as undeliverable. They will hold it for a limited time. Contact them as soon as you realize a check did not arrive, and provide your new address. They can reissue the check to your correct address or deposit it directly if you provide banking information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get paper checks if I just started receiving Social Security?
No. Social Security stopped issuing checks to new beneficiaries in 2011. If you are signing up for benefits now, you must receive payments by direct deposit. The only exception is if you have a religious objection to electronic payment; contact Social Security to discuss that option.
What if my bank account closes and I need to switch back to checks?
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and explain that your account is closed. If you had checks before and switched to direct deposit, you can request to go back to checks. The change takes one or two payment cycles.
Do I have to pay a fee to receive paper checks?
No. Social Security does not charge beneficiaries to receive checks. The agency pays for postage and processing. There is no fee for switching between checks and direct deposit.
What if I want to receive checks but also have a backup direct deposit account?
Social Security allows only one payment method at a time. You must choose either checks or direct deposit. If you want to change methods, you must contact Social Security and request the switch.
How long does it take to switch from direct deposit to checks?
The change takes one or two payment cycles — typically two to four weeks. Your next payment may still go to your bank account. Contact Social Security if you do not receive a check within six weeks of requesting the change.