GAINESVILLE- Social security checks are all part of a payment system set to phase out.

 

and one homeless advocate, Arupa Freeman says homeless and displaced people in the community rely heavily on.

 

“I mean it’s their only income, it’s what they depend on for food and medicine and batteries.”

On March 1st federal benefit recipients will no longer get checks in the mail.

 

The government is instead adopting a system direct deposit or direct express card system.

 

Until then, Freeman says their money is getting lost in transition.

“They’re not getting their checks they don’t know why, it’s not clear to them what’s going on, apparently the communication hasn’t been what it should be and they’re just out there with no money and no food.”

 

The check system that’s been in place for more than 70 years might be changing but people’s attitudes towards the electronic system may be harder to shift.
 

 

Case manager at St.Francis house Andrew White thinks, " just from past, they’re just set in their ways, used to receiving their money in a check physically in their hand, I think alot of people are wary about technology and the changes that an electronic bank offers.”
 

Many hope this system will provide a more secure means for money to be transferred.

 

In 2010 more than 500 thousand social security and supplemental income checks were reported lost or stolen.