In today’s New York Times:
Consumer groups — along with paper-producing interests – -are urging the federal government to improve safeguards for Social Security recipients, as the government phases out paper checks for beneficiaries in favor of electronic deposits.
Beginning in March, all Social Security checks will be deposited electronically unless recipients apply for and receive a waiver to keep getting payments via paper checks.
Recipients must receive the payments by direct deposit to a bank account, or to a debit card, including the government’s DirectExpress card. The debit cards allow beneficiaries to make retail purchases with the card or withdraw the funds from automatic teller machines. If current recipients don’t choose a deposit option by March 1, they’ll automatically be sent a DirectExpress card to avoid any delay in receipt of benefits, the Social Security Administration says.