The Social Security Administration has begun issuing Emergency Advance Payments (EAPs) and Immediate Payments (IPs) via a United States Debit Card (USDC), effective February 9, 2026, according to updated program policy instructions dated September 21, 2026.
The agency said it may issue an EAP or IP to recipients and beneficiaries who demonstrate a dire need and meet other criteria. In the past, these payments were issued by paper check.
Effective March 2025, Executive Order 14247, "Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account," and Executive Order 14249, "Protecting America's Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse," require the Department of Treasury to issue all federal payments electronically.
In compliance with the executive orders, the agency began issuing EAPs and IPs via the USDC. The updated transmittals incorporate Finance and Management Policy's implementation of the USDC and clarify and combine existing EAP and IP policies and procedures.
A separate transmittal covering critical cases said the agency may issue an IP to beneficiaries who demonstrate a dire need and meet other criteria, including the critical case criteria. Those payments were also previously issued by paper check and are now issued via the USDC.
The agency encouraged the public to "Go Digital" and discover their benefits.