How Will You Receive Your Social Security Disability Benefits?

In 2013, the law changed. The law now requires those who receive federal benefits, including Social Security disability benefits, to accept payments electronically through direct deposit. While direct deposit is reportedly safe, quick, and convenient, there are times when a recipient may wish to apply for a waiver of the requirement.

Is It Possible to Get a Check?

It is important to note that waivers to the direct deposit requirement are granted only in rare circumstances. Some exceptions that may be permitted by the Social Security Administration include the following:

• Where the disability benefits recipient lives in a remote area that does not offer sufficient banking infrastructure to allow for direct deposit payments.
• Where the disability benefits recipient is currently issued paper checks and a switch to direct deposit would impose undue hardship due to a mental impairment.
• Where the recipient was born before May 1, 1921.

In order to request such a waiver from the Social Security Administration, the recipient must complete a Request for Payment of Federal Benefits by Check waiver form. The following is an overview of the information that is requested on the waiver form:

• Your first and last name.
• Your address, Social Security number, and phone number.
• The reason that you are requesting the waiver. This must either be due to mental impairment or living in a remote area without access to a sufficient banking institution.
• An explanation in support of your request. This generally consists of one or two sentences that explain why you are unable to receive your payments electronically.
• Your signature, certifying that all of the information included on the waiver form is true.

This form must then be submitted to the U.S. Treasury’s Electronic Payment Solution Center.

For more information about the direct deposit program and Social Security disability benefits in general, we invite you to follow us on Facebook. Share our page with your friends and family. They may be considering applying for benefits and not know where to turn. Our helpful information and useful links are a great starting point!

by Paul B. Burkhalter
Managing Partner of Morgan & Weisbrod, Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law.

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