U.S. Treasury Requires Electronic Federal Benefit Payments
If you still receive a paper check for your Social Security or other federal benefit payments, you are out of compliance with the law. The Treasury Department requires federal benefit payments to be made electronically.
Switch to Electronic Payments Today!
You can choose to get your payments by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or to a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card account. Sign up by contacting the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at (800) 333-1795. You may also sign up for direct deposit online or at your local bank or credit union.
If you do not comply, the Treasury Department will contact you directly and may send you a Direct Express® card.
Exceptions will be granted in rare circumstances. Find out if you qualify.
If you already receive your federal benefit payments electronically, you do not need to take any action.
If you want to get your federal benefit payments paid by direct deposit to your checking or savings account, you'll need:
- A copy of your most recent federal benefit check
- Social Security number or claim number
- 12-digit federal benefit check number
- Amount of most recent federal benefit check
- Financial institution's routing transit number*
- Account number* and type - checking or savings
*This information is often on personal checks.
If you want to get your benefit payments through the Direct Express® card, you'll need:
- 12-digit federal benefit check number
- Amount of most recent federal benefit check
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