[NYAPRS Enews] USDT: All Federal Benefit Payments Will Be Paid Electronically

[Harvey Rosenthal]

All Federal Benefit Payments Will Be Paid Electronically

Urge people with disabilities and their caregivers to switch to
electronic payments today.

 Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service 

 

Have you heard the news that the U.S. Department of the Treasury is
phasing out paper checks as a payment option for federal benefit
payments? People who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security
Income or other federal benefit checks for themselves or on behalf of
someone else, must switch to an electronic payment option by March 1,
2013.

 

People in New York still rely on 393,569 Social Security and 168,699
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) paper check payments each month. Tell
them to take action today. In doing so, you will help them enjoy the
advantages of electronic payments immediately:

 

*         Safety - No risk of lost or stolen checks.

*         Ease - No need to make a trip to cash or deposit a check. 

*         Control - Money is on time, every time. 

*         Fast Access - Money is accessible sooner.

 

Making the switch to one of the two electronic payment options
recommended by the Treasury Department is fast, free and easy:

 *         Direct deposit. People with a checking or savings account can
sign up to receive their money through direct deposit. Their money will
go straight into their checking or savings account on payment day each
month and be accessible from virtually anywhere.

*         Direct Express(r) Debit MasterCard(r) card. This prepaid debit
card provides another reliable, low-cost alternative to paper checks.
Money is posted to the card account on payment day each month.
Cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash anywhere Debit
MasterCard(r) is accepted. Optional deposit notifications and low
balance alerts by phone, email or text message are available for free.
For information on card fees that may apply for some optional services
and features, visit www.GoDirect.org. No bank account or credit check
required. 

To make the switch to direct deposit or the Direct Express(r) card,
current federal benefit check recipients can contact their federal
benefit agency office, visit the Treasury Department's Go Direct(r)
campaign website at www.GoDirect.org, or call the U.S. Treasury
Electronic Payment Solution Center at (800) 333-1795
<tel:%28800%29%20333-1795> . For direct deposit, people can also make
the switch at their local financial institution.

 

Getting Involved is Easy

The Treasury Department's Go Direct(r) campaign makes it easy for you to
help. Here's what you can do:

*         Display Go Direct campaign and Direct Express(r) card
materials in your facilities.

*         Link to www.GoDirect.org <http://www.GoDirect.org/>  from your
website.

*         Actively encourage the people you serve who currently get
federal benefit checks to make the switch to electronic payments today.

*         You can also communicate to people getting ready to apply for
federal benefit payments what information they need on-hand to choose
their preferred electronic payment option when they fill out their
benefit application. 

 

For more information or to order free materials, visit www.GoDirect.org
<http://www.GoDirect.org/> .

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