Social Security to end paper checks

WASHINGTON (WWLP) - Anyone signing up for Social Security or other government benefits next week will no longer be getting their checks in the mail.

The Social Security administration is requiring recipients to arrange for direct deposit of their payments beginning May 1st.

85 percent of Social Security beneficiaries already get their payments through direct diposit. "It eliminates the possibility of having your check stolen and less to be concerned about," said Helen Haskell of Agawam.

The Treasury estimates that eliminating paper checks will save the government about $1 billion dollars over 10 years.