End of Social Security paper checks raises concern for rural residents

Starting tomorrow, all beneficiaries will be forced to enroll in direct deposit or receive a prepaid debit card.

Maria Freese, senior policy advisor with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, said despite advance warnings, some people could miss their monthly payments.

“They may or may not read the material that comes in with their checks,” said Freese, “they may or may not understand the material, and they may not have any idea that this is coming.”

She said many older and disabled adults can’t afford the minimum balance required to keep a bank account, or live in rural areas without internet access.

The Trump administration says the change is needed to improve security, and that checks will not be cut off to those who haven’t made the switch.

Some 1,300 New Hampshire residents still receive their benefits via paper checks, and to continue, they’ll have to fill out a waiver.

Federal staff layoffs have already led to long waiting lists for appointments at Social Security field offices, and Freese said rural residents who can’t get through on the phone must often drive hours for in-person help.

“For these people who are already stressed, already worried,” said Freese, “already having sleepless nights because of the chaos over at the Social Security Administration in the first place – this just adds to that.”

Freese said the chaos, including inadequate phone and web service, may be intentional and part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to privatize Social Security.

Some question the intentions of agency Administrator Frank Bisignano, the former CEO of banking tech firm FiServ, which stands to profit from new federal payment contracts.

Related: Top 2026 NH GOP Senate candidates back ‘backdoor for privatizing Social Security’