Benefits Payments Going Electronic
January 15, 2013
Social Security checks like this from the Federal Government may become a thing of the past according to Herndon Virginia Disability lawyer Doug Landau
Everywhere you turn, things are going paperless. Now the Treasury Department is joining in. The millions of people still receiving their benefits checks in the mail have until March 1 to sign up for electronic delivery.
“It makes sense,” says Herndon Social Security lawyer Doug Landau. “It costs 92 cents more to issue a paper check than it does for an electronic transaction. And, electronic delivery means you get your money quicker, with the killing of fewer trees! I see this as a “win” for my clients and I am encouraging everyone to be proactive and sign up for electronic delivery well before the March 1 deadline.”Impacted is anyone receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board or Office of Personnel Management benefits and other non-tax federal payments. People have the option to sign up for either direct deposit or a Direct Express debit MasterCard. The debit card, issued by Comerica Bank, lets you make purchases, pay bills and withdraw cash at ATMs. There are no fees to sign up and no monthly fees or overdraft charges. And you don’t have to go through a credit check to enroll. To make the switch, call 800-333-1795 or sign up online by going to GoDirect.org. If you fail to sign up by March 1, you will still receive your paper check, but you will also begin to get reminders to switch to electronic delivery. If you or someone you know is disabled and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. at once (703-796-9555).