Since 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been moving toward dispensing monthly benefits through an electronic system. Many people who receive retirement or disability benefits have already moved away from the paper check system, but a small percentage remained. That is soon to change. As of March 1, 2013, the SSA hopes to only deposit checks electronically, a change that will affect the 3 percent of claimants still using paper checks.
The SSA claims that the reason for this change is primarily to cut spending on mailing out paper checks each month. Those five million Americans who received paper checks were mostly accepting retirement benefits, but some disability benefits recipients were included. According to the SSA, the new move will save taxpayers up to $1 billion over the next ten years.
As we stated, the SSA has set a deadline of March 1, 2013, to endpaper checks, but that date is not exactly absolute. Some people may still end up receiving physical checks each month. However, the SSA plans to put pressure on all recipients to move to a paperless system, starting with phone calls and other communications. On Wednesday we will discuss the SSA’s plan to encourage all benefits recipients to become paperless.
If you have questions about your disability benefits or whether you are a candidate for monthly benefits from the SSA, an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and options. Contact a Tulsa Social Security Disability attorney today for more information and to learn how we may be able to help you. We offer free evaluations of your case and you may reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404.
