All federal benefit payments to you such as Social Security, SSI, SSDI, and Veteran’s Benefits will be made electronically starting in March 2013. The U.S. Department of the Treasury will pay all federal benefit and non-tax payments electronically. Benefit recipients can choose to receive their payments by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or to a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card account. If you are retiring or applying for federal benefits soon, you will need to choose your preferred electronic payment option when you apply to receive federal benefit payments from the Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management, or Department of Labor (Black Lung).

You are required to make the switch from paper federal benefit checks to electronic payments by March 1, 2013. If you are applying for these federal benefits, you will receive your payments through direct deposit to your bank or credit union account or to a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card: Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Labor (Black Lung).

For more information you can visit the Go Direct website at www.godirect.org or call the Go Direct Helpline at (800) 333-1795, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

-Bob S., Government Publications Dept.