Go Direct: Federal Benefit Checks Switching to Electronic Payment 3/1

If you are currently getting Social Security, SSI, VA or other federal benefits by paper check, did you know that you are required by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to switch to electronic payments by March 1st, 2013? This switch to electronic payments is called the Go Direct Campaign. If you have a bank account, you can sign up to have the money deposited directly into your account though “direct deposit”. Or, you can have the funds put on a prepaid “Direct Express” debit card. Just contact the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1-800-333-1795 or visit godirect.org.

If you are retiring or applying for federal benefits soon, you will get your money electronically from day one. Be ready to choose direct deposit or the Direct Express card when you fill out your application. If you do not choose an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013, you may receive your payments via the Direct Express card. If you are already receiving your federal benefit payments electronically, this change will not affect you. 

You can sign up for direct deposit online, and learn more, at godirect.org. The deadline is just 7 weeks from today, so if this affects you and you haven’t yet switched over from paper checks, please do so as soon as possible!