Social Security Checks Delivered Electronically

Change can be good. Then again, there are times when change is good for some, but not for others.

The federal government will soon change the way individuals in Illinois and elsewhere receive their Social Security checks. Rather than receiving checks in the mail as they have for years, recipients of Social Security disability benefits and other government benefits will have their funds either directly deposited into a bank account or will receive these benefits through the use of a debit card.

While this may seem like a quicker, more efficient way to distribute federal benefits, the generational gap may prove a problem. Younger individuals will likely take this change in stride. And going paperless comes with a plethora of benefits, including cost savings, convenience and safety. This new process will save recipients the hassle of making an extra trip to the bank, saves money and eliminates the fear that a Social Security check will be stolen out of a recipient’s mailbox.

Elderly recipients, on the other hand, may feel the effects of this future change. Receiving their Social Security check in the mail has been the routine for years, and breaking a routine is never an easy task, especially when taking into consideration how long some of these elderly individuals have received their benefits through the mail. To help ease the transition, the Treasury Department has set up a website and toll free number to help.

According to the government, going paperless will save approximately $120 million a year, and nearly $1 billion over a decade.

An individual that has questions regarding Social Security benefits or qualifications may want to contact an experienced social security attorney who will provide much needed guidance.

Source: Yakima Herald, “Make sure e-transfer works for seniors,” April 18, 2012