US Treasury Has Stopped Issuing Paper Checks for Employees and Beneficiaries

In August 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that the federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments on September 30, 2025. Veterans who still receive paper federal check should switch to an electronic payment method.

If a Veteran already has a bank account and wants to set up direct deposit for their VA monetary benefits, the fastest option is to call VA’s toll free number at 1- and work with one of the agents to enroll in Direct Deposit (if they use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, the Federal number is 711). To enroll for direct deposit online, they can navigate to https://www.va.gov/change-direct-deposit/ and click the “Sign In or Create an Account” button.

If a Veteran needs to set up an account and enroll in direct deposit, they can use the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP). The VBBP is a partnership between VA and the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA). The program provides Veterans and beneficiaries a safe, reliable, and inexpensive way to receive and manage their VA monetary benefits. The VBBP connects Veterans with banks and credit unions who understand Veterans’ financial needs and can provide Veterans and their beneficiaries the highest level of service. VA, in partnership with AMBA, created VBBP to provide Veterans with banking options and educational resources to help them achieve greater financial independence, resiliency, and literacy. VBBP lets Veterans and beneficiaries receive VA benefits through direct deposit, effectively manage monetary benefits, and reduce fraud. The VBBP internet site is https://veteransbenefitsbanking.org/ and the VA National Call Center's toll-free number is 1-.

Veterans who are homeless, formerly homeless, or simply do not have a permanent address can use their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) identification (ID) and a VA Homeless Coordinator’s office address to open a checking or savings account at any bank or credit union. More information is available here: https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/docs/homeless-banking-flyer.pdf

More information about opening a checking or savings account and enrolling in direct deposit is available here: https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp and https://www.va.gov/change-direct-deposit/.