Digital Lift reports...

The digital world just became less optional. As of September 30, 2025, the federal government has stopped issuing paper checks for benefits like Social Security. Payments are now deposited directly into bank accounts or onto prepaid debit cards – methods that require not only access to financial services but also the ability to navigate online systems.

This is just the latest in a series of policy changes that assume universal internet access. From healthcare enrollment to unemployment benefits, tax filing to student loan repayment, more essential services are now available only online. For many, this is a matter of convenience. For millions of others, it’s an added barrier that deepens existing inequities.