If you still get your Social Security check or tax refund in the mail, that could soon change. The federal government is phasing out paper checks this fall in favor of electronic payments.

A March executive order from President Donald Trump, set to take effect this fall, directs the Secretary of the Treasury to “cease issuing paper checks for all Federal disbursements inclusive of intragovernmental payments, benefits payments, vendor payments, and tax refunds,” with exceptions, including people who don’t have access to banking services and national security or law enforcement activities.

All executive departments and agencies must transition to direct deposit, prepaid card accounts and other digital payment methods. The president directed the change because, according to the order, paper checks and money orders impose “unnecessary costs; delays; and risks of fraud, lost payments, theft, and inefficiencies.”

Here’s what we know.

When is the federal government phasing out paper checks?

The federal government will stop issuing paper checks — except in limited cases — on Sept. 30.

Who will this impact?

The vast majority of Americans receive their tax refunds and Social Security benefits via direct deposit. But some still prefer paper checks, and they could face new challenges.

Roughly 477,000 Social Security recipients continue to receive their benefits by mail, accounting for less than 1% of all recipients, and about 36,000 are Texans. In contrast, about 10 million people — roughly 8% of all tax filers — still receive IRS refunds by paper check.

Many of these individuals are seniors who are hesitant to adopt new technology due to concerns about fraud and security. Others include low-income individuals and those in rural areas with limited access to digital banking services.

About 6.5% of adults in Texas — roughly 1.5 million people — are unbanked, meaning they don’t have a checking or savings account, according to the FDIC. Here’s the breakdown by metropolitan area:

• Austin-Round Rock: 2.2%
• San Antonio-New Braunfels: 3.5%
• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: 4.7%
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land: 9.4%

Houston’s significantly higher unbanked rate reflects a combination of factors, including income inequality and systemic barriers. The city is among the most diverse in the nation, with nearly half its population identifying as Hispanic or Latino and nearly a quarter as Black — communities that nationally experience disproportionately high unbanked rates of 9.3% and 11.4%, respectively.

Immigration status also contributes to higher unbanked rates in cities like Houston. Many immigrants, especially those who are undocumented or recently arrived, may lack the official documents — such as Social Security numbers — that banks require to open accounts.

How to move to electronic payments

The Social Security Administration’s website directs people to receive benefits electronically, either through an existing bank account or onto a Direct Express or Debit Mastercard, citing federal law mandating that benefits be made electronically.

When filing taxes online, taxpayers can choose to receive their refunds via direct deposit if they have a bank account.

How to apply for a banking account

What you need to open a bank account

You should prepare the following items, according to Chase.

The most basic information you will need is your contact information, including name, address and phone number.

• Chase suggests you also have at least two forms of government-issued photo ID, like a valid driver’s license or a passport. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, though, says some banks accept foreign passports and consular IDs if you don’t have a United States identification.
• You will need your Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number, according to Chase.
• You’ll likely need proof of your address, like a utility bill with your current address.
• Depending on the financial institution you’re applying to, you may need additional documentation. For a student checking account, you may need proof of enrollment in an eligible school, such as a student ID or an acceptance letter to the institution in question.
• You may also need to provide a deposit at the time of applying, especially if your state has a minimum deposit requirement.

How to open a bank account

1. Choose a bank based on preferred benefits (account management, withdrawal limits and more) and convenience (ATM locations and access to bank locations).
2. Confirm you are eligible. Many banks have age requirements or require parental involvement.
3. Start the application process. Call the bank or go in person to get your questions answered.
4. Choose the accounts you want. Do you want a checking account, a savings account or both?
5. Make sure you understand your new account after you’re approved.

How much money do you need to open a bank account?

Some states have minimum deposit requirements for opening a bank account.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you will typically need an initial deposit between $25 and $100 for a checking or savings account.

Contributing: Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY; Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press