The check itself represents the sense that your needs will be met. Anything that is associated with a paycheck in a dream should be focused through this lens.
If you cannot find a paycheck, you may feel that your security is threatened somehow.
A paycheck that is damaged is also such a threat, but it reflects an incident that happened in the recent past. Finding a paycheck is to be discovering a new source of ongoing security. [1]
If the check say’s “punishment” it symbolizes wicked living, Prov. 10:16 [2]