The Treasury Department is phasing out paper check payments for Social Security disability benefit receipients. Starting March 1, 2013, disability benefits will be paid by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or to a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card account. If a person does not make a choice by that date, they will receive payments via the Direct Express® card.
Important things to know:
- If you are already receiving your federal benefit payments electronically, this change will not affect you.
- There are many reasons why you should switch now rather than wait for the deadline. Getting your money electronically is safer, easier and more reliable than paper checks. There’s no risk or lost or stolen checks and no need to make a trip to cash or deposit a check. Your money is on time, every time. Additionally, by switching now, you will beat the rush and avoid long waits to sign up as the deadline approaches.
- You can sign up online any time at www.GoDirect.org or call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at (800) 333-1795 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. You can also switch at your bank or credit union (for direct deposit only) or at your local federal benefit agency office.
- The Treasury Department recommends that you get your federal benefit payments by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account. If you don’t have a bank account or prefer a prepaid debit card, you can sign up for the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard®card.
- When you switch to electronic payments, make sure you have on hand your most recent federal benefit check. You will need to know the amount of your last check and your 12-digit federal benefit check number, which is in the upper right hand corner of the check. If you would like to get your payments by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account, you’ll also need your account type (checking or savings), account number and your financial institution’s routing transit number. Your account number and the routing transit number can often be found on a personal check. You can also ask your bank for these numbers.
- With electronic payments, your money will be in your bank or credit union account or posted to the Direct Express card account on payment day each month. You can count on it.
- If you have the Direct Express card, you can sign up at www.USDirectExpress.com to get free text, phone or email alerts when your money goes into your card account.
- Beneficiaries who are age 90 or older won’t be required to make the change. Others can apply for a hardship waiver but they will be granted only in “extreme, rare circumstances.”
For more information: call (800) 333-1795 or go online to http://www.godirect.org/