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Go Direct: Federal Benefits Direct Deposit Program for Seniors

Are you or someone close to you still receiving federal benefit payments by paper check? You should know that mailed checks are vulnerable to a variety of risk factors that can prevent them from arriving on time each month.

Paper checks can be delayed, lost or stolen, and leave you open to financial crimes such as check fraud. In 2008, more than 485,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued, while an estimated $64 million in checks issued by the Treasury Department were fraudulently endorsed.

The Go Direct campaign gives Americans who have checking or savings accounts a fast, easy way to sign up for direct deposit by phone or online. The U.S. Department of the Treasury encourages the use of direct deposit and the Direct Express® card for Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and other federal benefits.

With this one simple step, you can help safeguard your federal benefits from financial crimes and get your money on time, every time, by receiving your check electronically. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safe, easy alternatives to paper checks:

  • Have a bank account? The Treasury Department’s Go Direct campaign gives you a fast, easy way to sign up for direct deposit by phone or online. Money goes straight into your account each month. To sign up, call (800) 333-1795, go to www.GoDirect.org or visit your bank or credit union.
  • Prefer a prepaid debit card? The Direct Express Debit MasterCard is recommended by the Treasury Department as another safe, convenient alternative to paper checks for Social Security and SSI benefit payments. Cardholders can make purchases, get cash and pay bills. You do not need a bank account to sign-up for the card. There are no sign-up fees, monthly fees or overdraft charges. Some fees for optional services may apply. To sign up for the card, or to learn more about its features and fees, call toll-free (877) 212-9991, go to www.USDirectExpress.com, or visit your local Social Security office.

GoDirect Deposit

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