New Scheme of DOT assures members on getting Social Security Checks

As the hurricane season approaches, again for those living along the Gulf Coast and Eastern seaboard, people anticipates the difficulty of getting their Social Security checks. The government, through the Department of Treasury (DOT) recommends the Go Direct campaign.  This scheme is simply having Social Security checks of members be deposited directly into their bank accounts. The DOT sees this solution as helpful to beneficiaries who will be facing disrupting natural disasters like hurricanes.

Los Angeles, California, May 16, 2007 – The DOT further enthuses that this scheme of switching to direct deposit eliminates the dangers of getting stolen checks. It is also an assuring way to safeguard the Social Security members’ personal information.

The Go Direct campaign aims to benefit the senior citizens and people with disabilities, too. The program ensures that the delivery of these beneficiaries’ federal benefits go unhitched especially in the days after a hurricane or any other severe weather incidents.

This scheme was based on the experience during the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Then, almost 85,000 emergency payments had to be issued to beneficiaries in the days and weeks that followed the disaster.

Meanwhile, at that time, the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who are already using the direct deposit did not experience any trouble getting their funds. They were able to access immediately using debit cards, automated teller machines (ATM) and other financial networks through the country.

Aside from disruptions and delays, direct deposit payments of federal benefits safeguard Americans from becoming victims of identity theft and other types of financial scams.

According to a recently conducted nationwide survey, 4 out of 10 respondents who receive benefits through check payment declare that they have been victims of identity theft. Moreover, 31% of the respondents had been victims of stealing. Items taken from them were checks, important document or large sum of cash.

 

At present, there are more than 3 million Americans residing along the Gulf coast, considered as hurricane – prone areas. These residents still receive their federal benefit payments in paper check.

It is projected that if these members switch to direct deposit, they would not be affected anymore by mail service disruptions and other factors causing the delay of check payment delivery.

Likewise, Social Security and SSI recipients can eliminate being victims of stealing and ensure the safety of their personal and financial information.

Recipients of federal benefits who would like to switch from check payment to direct deposit can do so by calling the Go Direct helpline (800) 333-1795, signing online at the Go Direct official website or by visiting their credit union or local bank.