Published: August 2006
Get Direct Deposit for Your Benefits Checks
Coalition: Go Direct
Direct deposit is safer, easier and more convenient than getting a check in the mail. Yet despite the advantages, many people who rely on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) still get checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks are sponsoring Go Direct, a campaign to motivate people who receive federal benefit checks to use direct deposit.
Go Direct reaches out to people through organizations they know and trust to inform them about the many benefits of direct deposit and help them sign up for it. Through one-on-one outreach events and media, Go Direct works to encourage people to switch to direct deposit.
Direct deposit is the best way for people to get their Social Security and SSI payments because it eliminates the risk of stolen checks, reduces fraud and gives you more control over your money. Direct deposit allows immediate access to funds from virtually anywhere via ATMs and online banking and bill payment services.
People who get Social Security and SSI checks are culturally, economically, geographically and socially diverse. A simple action like enrolling in direct deposit can offer much-needed peace of mind to people who rely on federal benefits, most of whom are seniors and people with disabilities. Direct deposit saves taxpayers money - if everyone who currently gets a federal benefit check switched to direct deposit, it would save taxpayers millions of dollars annually. The money saved as a result of Go Direct will be used to cover the costs of future Social Security payments - a benefit to all Americans for generations to come. This is especially relevant today, given that baby boomers will start reaching retirement age in 2008.
It's easy to sign up for direct deposit - you can call the Go Direct helpline at (800) 333-1795, visit the It's easy to sign up for direct deposit - you can call the Go Direct helpline at (800) 333-1795, visit the Go Direct web site to sign up online or stop in at your local financial institution or Social Security Administration office to sign up. En Español: Click here for Spanish web site
More Information
En Español: Spanish Go Direct web site
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