Learn about where and how to cash government checks near you, for free and without a bank account. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have huge government checks in the form of treasury or social security checks.
In this article, I explore the various places one can cash government checks as well as the policies, rules, limits, and fees charged by the check cashers.
What is a Government Check?
First, let us understand what is considered a government check.
A government check is a government-issued or certified document that has an unconditional order from the government instructing a given bank to pay a given individual or group a given amount of money.
The individuals receiving a government check can be a government employee, institution, or a private institution that has requested a government’s support.
Where Can I Cash a Government Check?
Now, where can one cash a government check? If you have a government check, you can visit your nearest Money Services to cash your checks.
The process cannot take more than an hour if you have all the required identification documents. Further, some stores including online shopping stores allow individuals to cash their checks.
How to Cash a Government Check without a Bank Account
Several people with a bank account can easily cash their government checks at any bank of their choice for free.
However, if an individual does not have a bank account, he or she can cash the government checks at any bank or financial institution based on their cash checking policies.
If you are one of the individuals who does not have a bank account, but poses a government check that you want to cash, here is what you should do.
- Check with the nearest financial institution to identify if you can cash your government check.
- If your nearest institution allows you to cash a government check without a bank account, make sure you have all the identification documents.
- Ask the financial institution agents to give you a form that has all the requirements, including the fees, if applicable before you decide on which institution to cash your government check.
- Once you have compared the financial institutions or store that cash government checks, follow the agent’s instructions to ensure you have successfully cashed your government check.
Where Can I Cash an SSI or Government Check for Free?
You can cash your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check for free at major retailers like Walmart and 7-Eleven locations and at some supermarkets and banks across the USA.
Similarly, you can also cash government checks for free in most grocery stores, gas stations, and retail stores near you. The procedure to be followed would be exactly as outlined here above.
Even so, not all locations offer free SSI check cashing services; some do it at a minimal cost. Therefore, it is up to you to find out if your preferred location offers these services for free.
How to Cash a Social Security Check without ID
Usually, you are expected to produce an identification document for you to be allowed to cash any check you might be having.
Ordinarily, no financial institution or retail store will allow you to cash a social security check without an identification document.
But, in exceptional cases such as your house burnt down with all your documentation or your documents have been stolen, you can be allowed to cash your security check without ID.
In such a case, you should produce a police written document to support your reasons as to why you want to cash a social security check without an ID.
Cash US Treasury Check without a Bank Account
Having a bank account allows you to easily and quickly accomplish your check cashing transactions at any retail store or bank.
What is a US Treasury Check?
US Treasury checks are used as a form of payment from the USA government agencies. In recent years, scammers have been tempting to create look-alike US Treasury Checks.
Therefore, individuals are advised to confirm that the check has microprinting, which is present in all checks and is visible over a magnification glass.
How to endorse a US Treasury Check
At the moment no rules and regulations are preventing an individual from endorsing a US Treasury check and depositing it in another person’s account.
Nevertheless, an individual cannot just cash a Treasury check that belongs to someone else.
You are therefore expected to consult the nearest bank to be informed about the appropriate procedures to follow to endorse a US Treasury Check.
Are banks required to cash US Treasury Checks?
Yes, the banks in the USA are required to cash US Treasury Checks, but not for free. In other words, while the US banks allow you to cash your Treasury Checks, it is not a guarantee that you will do it for free.
It is up to you to find out the costs of cashing your Treasury Check with various banks to choose your preferred one.
To note is that in some banks, the US government has issued orders to have the US Treasury checks be cashed at a specific amount that is not too costly for clients.
Also, do not forget to carry your identification documents when going to cash a US Treasury check in any bank in the USA.
How to cash a US Treasury Check without a bank account
In case, you do not have a bank account, you should visit a bank that allows persons without bank accounts to cash their US Treasury check.
Remember, not all banks allow individuals without bank accounts to cash their treasury checks.
Therefore, if you find one that does so, ensure you give all the required documents to facilitate the cashing process.
References on Cashing Government Checks
- 1: Money Services – Cash Government Checks
- 2: Sapling – Cash Treasury Checks
- 3: HHS – How to identify treasury checks
READ MORE: Does Walmart Cash Checks on Sunday?
