Highlights:
- Treasury ends all paper checks by Sept 30, 2025, shifting to electronic payments that may harm Tribal citizens with limited banking and internet access.
- Complete NAFOA’s Tribal survey by June 25 to help inform advocacy efforts.
- Submit comments by June 30, 2025, using NAFOA’s template to highlight Tribal concerns.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is seeking public comments on Executive Order 14247, “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” which will eliminate all federal paper checks by September 30, 2025. This transition to mandatory electronic payments will significantly impact Tribal citizens who receive federal benefits, payments, and services.
Key Impact
All federal disbursements, including Social Security, Veterans benefits, tax refunds, Tribal program payments, and other federal benefits, will transition to electronic-only payments, potentially creating barriers for unbanked and underbanked Tribal citizens.
- Comment Deadline: June 30, 2025
- Implementation Date: September 30, 2025 (paper checks eliminated)
- Current Status: Treasury seeking stakeholder input through Federal Register Notice posted May 30, 2025
Why it Matters: Tribal Considerations
Tribal communities often face unique banking access challenges that the mandatory transition to electronic payments could exacerbate. Limited physical banking infrastructure, for example, means Tribal citizens frequently travel significant distances to reach the nearest bank branch or ATM. This geographic isolation is compounded by higher rates of unbanked and underbanked individuals in Tribal communities compared to the general population, creating a substantial barrier to accessing electronic payment systems. Additionally, inadequate internet connectivity and cellular service on many Tribal lands will limit the effectiveness of digital payment options, particularly mobile banking and online financial services.
Many Tribal communities maintain strong preferences for cash-based transactions, reflecting personal values and practical necessity in areas with limited electronic payment infrastructure. Elder populations, who represent a significant portion of federal benefit recipients, may be less comfortable with digital systems and require additional support to navigate new payment methods.
Action Items
Participate in NAFOA’s Survey: Share your insights on the impact of Executive Order 14247 on your Tribal community. Your responses will inform NAFOA’s advocacy efforts with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Responses are due by June 25, 2025.
Submit Comments to Treasury: NAFOA encourages Tribal governments, organizations, and community members to submit comments to Treasury by June 30, 2025, to ensure Tribal concerns are reflected in the transition to electronic-only payments. Comments can be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
NAFOA has provided a template letter for Tribal governments and organizations to use.
Note: Upon clicking the Download Template Letter button, you may encounter a message stating “No preview available.” This is normal. Please proceed by selecting the Download to access the file.
For any other questions or concerns, please contact Nicholas Lovesse, Director of Policy, at nicholas@nafoa.org, or Marisa Joseph, Policy Specialist, at marisa@nafoa.org
