Employees of the city Department of Education can no longer receive paper checks at their schools or other worksites, the DOE announced in August. Instead, checks will be sent via direct deposit to the employee’s bank account. Any DOE employees who choose to continue receiving paper checks will receive them at their mailing address.

The previous system ran headlong into the COVID-19 pandemic when school closures prevented at least 1,614 UFT members from receiving their paper checks. The UFT convinced the DOE to send unclaimed checks to the union and facilitated the delivery of more than 2,000 checks to its members by the spring.

The DOE said in a memorandum announcing the change that direct deposit is the most efficient way for its employees to receive their paychecks on time. DOE employees can sign up for direct deposit through the DOE’s Payroll Portal. Employees who wish to receive paper checks must review and confirm their mailing address in NYCAPS Employee Self Service or call HR Connect at 718-935-4000.