For employers at least, state laws usually require them to offer direct deposit. But the problem is that many low income folks are unbanked. If you’re poor, you’re more likely to have an overdrawn account. And banks have a special credit rating equivalent system for bank account customers. If you have too poor a history with one bank, they’ll close your account, and other banks may refuse to open an account for you. Or many banks have free accounts without a monthly fee, but only if you maintain a minimum balance or deposit a minimum in there each pay period. Poor folks can struggle to qualify on either of those accounts.