[NYAPRS Enews] Black: Are You Ready for March 1st Move to Electronic Delivery of SSA Benefits?

[Harvey Rosenthal]

Did you know that recipients of benefits administered by the Social
Security Administration (SSA)  are required by March 1, 2013 to arrange
to receive their benefits via electronic transfer? This requirement
applies to anyone who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), as well as retirement and most
other benefits administered by SSA.  SSA will no longer issue paper
benefits checks; in order to continue receiving their benefits without
interruption, all recipients will have to choose by March 1 either to:
1) receive their benefit via direct deposit into an account with a
financial institution such as a bank or credit union; or  2) obtain a
DirectExpress debit Mastercard, on which benefits will automatically be
credited monthly and which does not require a bank account.  

 

This big change is less than 2 months away!   Are you and the people you
serve ready?  Please take advantage of the following opportunities to
learn more about the program and prepare yourself and those you work
with:  

 

*       In person:  There will be an educational forum this Friday,
January 11th, 10 AM - 1 PM offered by the Westchester Independent Living
Center, 200 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains; tel. 914 682-3926 (see
attached flyer). This public event is geared specifically to people
receiving benefits and those who work with them.  It will center around
a presentation on the new requirements that will include a demonstration
of how recipients can enroll online. The Forum will also include a
discussion of building financial awareness and self-sufficiency, and
representatives from several local credit unions will be present to
share information about their services. 

 

*       On-line:  The US Treasury Dept. has set up the easy-to-use
DirectExpress website to help people understand the program and to
easily transition to either the direct-deposit or debit-card option:
www.usdirectexpress.com.  If they wish, recipients can enroll in the
program directly on this website.  There is also a Spanish-language
version of the site at:  www.directoasucuenta.org.  For a 60-second
overview of the Go Direct program you may also want to view the video
posted by the Treasury Dept. at: www.youtube.com/GoDirectUST 

 

*       By telephone: For more information about the program and help
with enrolling the public can call US Treasury Department's Go Direct
program information line at:  800-333-1795 (assistance for Spanish
speakers available at this number).

  

Please share this vital information with other members of the community,
and let's all please make an extra effort to reach those who do not have
email or web access.  Thanks very much!

 

Best regards, 

Adam Black 
Recipient Affairs Specialist
Westchester County Department of
    Community Mental Health

  asb1 at westchestergov.com

 

 

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