EAF, a nine-year-old firm that uses fintech tools including artificial intelligence and APIs, would like to eliminate checks altogether, but lower-income recipients of its emergency funds often lack access to digital payment options. And many are especially distrustful of receiving funds through new channels in an emergency.

“People in need aren’t sure what to do, and even if you give them a choice they will often fall back on receiving a check out of habit,” said Stockham, who estimates that at least 3% of lower income U.S. workers are shut out of the digital economy.

Not long ago, the EAF began chipping away at its check problem with the help of an unlikely partner — the 105-year-old check-printing company Deluxe Corp.

Deluxe, trying to diversify from its declining checking-business model, has developed a platform enabling EAF recipients to receive relief funds via ACH, PayPal or a virtual prepaid card instead of a check.

The EAF works with about 60 major corporations (300 fund partners), most of them based in the U.S., to distribute IRS-approved employee hardship grants, typically sending out 2,000 payments per month. During the pandemic, more than 5,000 people per day are qualifying for EAF aid.

Less than two years ago, the EAF began working with Deluxe to notify disaster-fund recipients of available money via email addresses typically on file with employers. Through the Deluxe Payment Exchange, EAF sends messages to prospective payees with instructions to securely input their bank or PayPal account details or opt for a virtual Visa card that’s immediately activated via email.

“Recipients who respond to the email and pick a digital payment option can get their money immediately, usually by the next day,” Stockham said.