Electronic SSN payments are a must
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[March 15, 2011]
For
years, Social Security has stressed the convenience, security, and
safety of getting benefit payments electronically. Soon, direct
deposit (or Direct Express) will not only be the best way to receive
Federal benefit payments — it will be the only way.
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That’s because the U.S.
Department of the Treasury announced a new rule that will phase out
paper checks for Federal benefit and non-tax payments by March 1,
2013.
Here is how the transition
will work.
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Anyone applying for Social
Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on or
after May 1, 2011, will receive their payments electronically,
while those already receiving paper checks will need to switch
to electronic payments by March 1, 2013.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2010/Dec/22/images/ads/current/vonderleith_bch120310.png)
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Social Security, SSI,
Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel
Management benefits, and other non-tax payments are included.
For most people getting
monthly benefits, this won’t really be a change; already 8 out of 10
beneficiaries receive payments electronically.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2010/Nov/04/images/ads/current/hearing_aid_center_sda102210.png)
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![](../images/ads/current/friendshipmanor_lda101210.png)
Why the push for electronic
payments instead of paper checks received in the mail?
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It’s safer: no risk of
checks being lost or stolen;
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It’s easy and
reliable: no need to wait for the mail or go to the bank to
cash a check;
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It saves taxpayers
money: no cost for postage and paper and printing;
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It saves you money: no
check-cashing fees or bank fees; and
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It’s good for the
environment: it saves paper and eliminates transportation
costs.
If you still get your check in
the mail, you don’t need to wait for the new rule to go into effect
to enjoy the benefits of electronic payments. Please visit
www.godirect.org
today and begin getting your Social Security and SSI payments the
safe, easy, inexpensive, and green way — electronically.
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2011/Feb/15/images/ads/current/castlemanor_sda021111.png) |