WASHINGTON (AP) - Before too long, the check will no longer be in the mail.
The government has settled on the dates when millions of people will no longer be able to get their Social Security benefit checks by mail.
New recipients of benefits will have to accept paperless payments starting on May 1 of next year, three months later than first proposed.
Those already on Social Security will have until March 1, 2013 to make the switch to direct deposits or a debit card.