All Federal Benefits Will Be Paid Electronically. Act Now!

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.

Act now to get your money safely and quickly – on time, every time!

• Already getting federal benefit payments by paper check? Switch today!
  You must make the switch from paper federal benefit checks to electronic payments by March 1, 2013. Learn more or sign up now.
   
• Retiring or applying for federal benefits soon? Be ready.
  You must 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). Find out what you'll need on hand.

If you do not choose an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013, or at the time you apply for federal benefits, you will receive your payments via the Direct Express^® card so you will not experience any interruption in payment.

If you are already receiving your federal benefit payments electronically, this change will not affect you.

See the meaning of key words used on this website and find answers to questions often asked about electronic payments.

The Treasury Department's Go Direct^® public education campaign is helping educate federal benefit recipients about the new electronic payments requirement and what it means for them.