Federal Benefit Payments Go All-Electronic February 21, 2012 The Go Direct® campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The Go Direct® logo and Go Direct® are registered service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service (used wih permission). The webinar will begin shortly. To hear Audio, please call: Passcode: PIN: provided in your confirmation

Federal Benefit Payments Go All-Electronic February 21, 2012 The Go Direct® campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The Go Direct® logo and Go Direct® are registered service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service (used with permission). Presented by: Walt Henderson EFT Strategy Division Director, Go Direct® Campaign Director U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service

Electronic Federal Benefit Payments Now Required The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a final rule in December 2010 requiring that all federal benefit and nontax payments be paid electronically. The rule affects: – Current check recipients. People already receiving Social Security and other federal benefits by check are required to switch to direct deposit by March 1, – People newly applying for benefits. Anyone applying for benefits will receive their federal benefit payments electronically from day one.

Which Federal Benefit Payments Are Impacted? Social Security Administration (Social Security and SSI) Veterans Affairs (VA) Railroad Retirement Board Office of Personnel Management Department of Labor (Black Lung)

Two Treasury-Recommended Options Direct deposit. People with checking or savings accounts can sign up for direct deposit. Their money will go straight to their account on payment day each month. Direct Express ® Debit MasterCard ® card. People who prefer a prepaid debit card can sign up for the Direct Express ® card. No bank account or credit check is required. Money is posted to the card account on payment day each month.

The Direct Express ® Card The Direct Express® prepaid debit card was introduced in 2008 as another safe, convenient alternative to paper checks for federal benefits. Surveys show the satisfaction rate among cardholders is very high – around 95 percent. Cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash. Funds on the Direct Express® card are FDIC-insured (up to the legal limit, exceptions may apply).

The Direct Express ® Card Fees There are no sign-up fees, monthly fees or overdraft charges. For information on fees and features or optional services, visit GoDirect.org.

The Direct Express ® Card Resources Visit the Direct Express® card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on for more information.

Go Direct® Public Education Campaign The Treasury Department is committed to helping Americans be prepared for and make the transition to the electronic payment of federal benefits. The Treasury Department will raise awareness through: – Partners – Media outreach & PSAs – Materials and website – Social media – Check inserts

Switching to Electronic Payments: Fast, Easy and Free The campaign makes it fast, easy and convenient for people and representative payees to switch from paper checks to electronic payments online at People can also sign up by calling the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center on weekdays at

Go Direct Partners: More Important Than Ever! More than 7 million Americans still receive federal benefit payments by paper check. People who do not choose an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013, will receive their payments via the Direct Express ® card so they will not experience any interruption in payment. The Treasury Department needs the help of SOAR to educate people about the rule and help them sign up for an electronic payment option before the official deadline.

People Receiving Checks Now: What do They Need to Know? Everyone receiving federal benefit checks should switch now to electronic payments and beat the March 1, 2013 deadline. – Information they need on-hand to sign up: Most recent federal benefit check Social Security number or claim number Account type – checking or savings (direct deposit only) Account number (direct deposit only) Financial institution’s routing transit number (direct deposit only) People can make the switch online at or by calling

Representative Payees Organizational and individual representative payees receiving federal benefit payments on behalf of others also are required to convert all check payments to direct deposit by March 1, Each paying agency has its own process to establish and monitor representative payees. Representative payees can make the switch through the Go Direct campaign or the paying agency.

People Newly Applying for Benefits: What do They Need to Know? Be Ready! When people apply for federal benefits, they need to be prepared to choose direct deposit or the Direct Express ® card for their payments. For direct deposit, they need: – Account type (checking or savings) – Account number – Financial institution’s routing transit number

Spread the Word. Get Involved! SOAR staff is in an ideal position to spread the word and help people take action. It’s easy! TELL people you serve about this important change and how it will impact their lives. SHARE details about what they need to know to sign up for electronic payments. URGE them not to wait until it’s too late – sign up now!

Free Go Direct Materials Fliers and Posters to display in your facilities and hand out to the people you serve. Talking points and Materials to include in trainings and workshops. Information and Brief Tips to share in your newsletter, on your website or social media sites. Instructional videos about how to make the switch online or over-the-phone and how electronic payments work.

Go Direct campaign contact information Contact the Go Direct campaign to: Get more information or ask questions. Become involved with campaign programming. Be connected to a campaign representative. Call (952) or

Questions? Call (952) or