A transition away from paper checks has long been planned, but an alert this week may still have surprised many recipients who rely on them.

The transition primarily affects a small group of beneficiaries who have not switched to electronic payment methods already, which is less than 1%, the administration wrote. Notices are being sent out to these individuals to explain the upcoming change and highlight the benefits of switching to electronic payments.

The Social Security Administration is transitioning away from paper checks this year, only allowing electronic payments for beneficiaries.