Federal benefit checks can be delayed by natural disasters

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Federal benefit checks can be delayed by natural
disasters

• When natural disasters hit, communities may be
  evacuated or lose mail service. After hurricanes
  Katrina, Gustav, Hanna and Ike, thousands
  of senior citizens, people with disabilities and
  others were unable to access their federal
  benefit checks.
• Switching from paper checks to direct deposit is
  a simple, but important step Americans can take
  to ensure their money is on time, every time no
  matter what the weather.
• Source U.S. Department of the Treasury,
  Financial Management Service

Disaster_PPT_v1_6.15.09.09
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Two options recommended by the U.S. Department
of the Treasury

• Direct deposit Treasurys Go Direct campaign
  gives Americans a fast, easy way to sign up for
  direct deposit of federal benefits by phone or
  online.
• Direct Express Debit MasterCard card This
  Treasury-recommended prepaid debit card gives
  Americans without bank accounts a safe, easy
  alternative to paper checks for Social Security
  and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

The Go Direct campaign is sponsored by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve
Banks. The Go Direct and Direct Express logos,
Go Direct and Direct Express are service marks
of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial
Management Service (used with permission). The
Direct Express Debit MasterCard card is issued
by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by
MasterCard International Incorporated.
MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are
registered trademarks of MasterCard International
Incorporated.
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Benefits of electronic payments

• Safer Eliminates the risk of lost or stolen
  checks.
• Easier Payments go straight into your bank
  account or are posted to the Direct Express card
  account, so you dont have to rely on the mail or
  run an errand to cash or deposit your check.
• More control You have access to your money on
  payment day each month from virtually anywhere
  so you have it even during a disaster or
  evacuation.

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Signing up is fast and easy

• To sign up for direct deposit, call Treasurys Go
  Direct campaign helpline at [phone], go to
  www.GoDirect.org, or visit your local bank or
  credit union.
• To sign up for the Direct Express card, call
  [phone], go to www.USDirectExpress.com, or
  visit your local Social Security office. Some
  fees for optional services may apply.