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What To Do When the Federal Government Stops Issuing Checks
A change is on the horizon that may affect your benefit payments. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced that starting September 30, 2025, the federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most federal benefits.
That means if you currently receive your Social Security, Veterans benefits, or any other federal payments by check, you’ll need to switch to an electronic method to keep receiving your money without interruption.
The good news? The process can be simple, safe, and easier with direct deposit.
What’s Changing, And When
Starting September 30th, the government will no longer send paper checks for federal benefits. Instead, those benefits will be paid electronically, either through direct deposit into a checking or savings account or through a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®, a prepaid debit card issued by the U.S. Treasury.
The types of benefits affected by this change include:
- Social Security
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans benefits
- Railroad Retirement Board benefits
- Office of Personnel Management (federal retirement)
- Any other recurring federal benefit payment
If you’re already receiving your benefits electronically, you don’t need to take any action. But if you’re still getting a paper check, you’ll need to make a few adjustments.
How To Continue Receiving Your Benefits
If you’re making the switch from paper checks to electronic deposits, you have a few simple options to choose from.
Direct Deposit into Your Bank Account
- Contact the federal agency that issues your benefit and ask to enroll in direct deposit.
- Enroll yourself online at GoDirect.gov.
- Call the U.S. Treasury’s Electronic Payment Solution Center at 800-967-6857 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET).
- Or, set up direct deposit in Citadel’s Online & Mobile Banking. Simply click here to log in and you’ll be prompted to get started. Or, you can log in and select your checking or savings account from the accounts list, then select 'Manage Direct Deposit' and follow the prompts.
Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®
- If you don’t have a checking or savings account, you can sign up for a Treasury-sponsored prepaid debit card. Call 800-967-6857 or contact your paying agency directly to enroll.
No matter which route you take, your benefits will be delivered safely and quickly, without risk of lost or stolen checks.
Don’t Have A Bank Account Yet?
If you haven’t opened a bank account, now could be a good time. It will help you keep receiving your benefits and provide you with access to a full range of financial services, including mobile banking and bill pay.
You can securely open a Citadel account at your convenience online. Or, if you prefer an in-person experience, stop by your local Citadel branch. We’ll be happy to walk you through the process.
The Benefits of Direct Deposit
Change can be inconvenient and, at times, a cause for concern. However, with paper checks more than 16 times more likely to get lost, stolen, altered, or delayed, there are some clear benefits to switching to electronic payments:
- Safety: Direct deposit reduces the risk of lost or stolen checks.
- Speed: Your money is available on payment day, without mail delays. And with Citadel's Early Direct Deposit, you can receive your payment up to 2 days early!*
- Convenience: Funds are deposited automatically—no need to visit a branch or wait in line.
Watch Out For Scams
Unfortunately, times of transition can create opportunities for scammers, so please be vigilant and remember these tips:
- The government will never call or email you to demand personal information or payment.
- Only use trusted sources, such as GoDirect.gov, your paying agency’s official website, or your financial institution, to make changes to your benefit payments.
- If you’re suspicious, ask a trusted friend, family member, or your credit union for assistance. Our staff is trained to help identify fraud and protect your privacy. Stop by a branch any time you have questions!
Take Action Today
Paper checks might be disappearing, but they’re being replaced by a quicker, safer, and more reliable way to access your money. If you’re still receiving paper checks, don’t wait until the deadline. Switch to direct deposit or a Direct Express® card now to avoid any interruption in your benefits.
At Citadel, we’re here to help make your transition as smooth as possible. Contact us for additional support.
* Early Direct Deposit is a service included with your Citadel account in which Citadel makes your eligible direct deposits available up to two business days before the scheduled deposit date. Eligible direct deposits include transactions such as payroll, pension benefits, government benefits, or similar types of deposits received through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. The Early Direct Deposit service is dependent on when Citadel receives information about your deposit from the payer. Early availability is not guaranteed and may vary from deposit to deposit.
