U.S.Treasury Says Go Direct

As the U.S. Treasury continues its campaign encouraging people to receive social security and other benefits electronically, officials there note that some 10,000 Wyoming residents are slow to make the change. Walt Henderson, for the U.S. Treasury.

"We launched a campaign last January and first we focused on getting people who apply for benefits for the first time to sign up at that point in time for an electronic payment method. But we also have about 7 million individuals that still receive payment for their benefits by paper check"

Unfortunately, Henderson says, last year over a half million Social Security and SSI paper checks were reported lost or stolen and around $93 million dollars worth of checks were fraudulently endorsed.

Those problems will presumably be no-more at the end of March 2013 when electronic receipt will be required. After the deadline, payment will be made to an existing bank account or through a Direct Express Debit Mastercard.

Henderson says they're making it really easy for folks to switch over.

"We operate a call center 1 800 333 1795. Anyone calling there can sign up for direct deposit to their bank account or they can sign up for the Direct Express Card. We also have a website www.godirect.org. "

He says there's information at the website and you can also sign up there.

This holiday season, the Treasury Department is sending information along with regular check payments about how to easily make the switch.