There are more than 4,400 Social Security recipients in Northumberland County who will need to switch to direct deposit within two years.
"Getting your Social Security or Supplemental Security Income payment by direct deposit or direct express is safer and more reliable," said Commissioner of Social Security Michael J. Astrue. "You don't have to worry about your check being lost or stolen, and your money is
available immediately on your payment date. There is no need to wait for the mail to arrive."
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a new rule that will extend the safety and convenience of electronic payments to millions of Americans and phase out paper checks for federal benefits and non-tax payments by March 1, 2013.
As of May 1, all applicants for Social Security benefits must have electronic check delivery, such as direct deposit, or direct express for those without bank accounts. Those already receiving the benefits have until March 1, 2013, to make the switch.
According to data released in April by the Social Security Administration, there were 4,402 people in Northumberland County who will need change their service. Pennsylvania has 290,292 people in total.
Pat Crone-Zalinski, director of the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging, said caseworkers are aware of the coming change, along with some senior citizens.
"My mother, who is 88 years old, told me about it," Zalinski said. "It is certainly a safer procedure, but we have to see what people will do who don't have a bank account and have to apply for the debit card for their benefits."
While the news of the change came just recently, the agency will be doing its best to inform the public about the new policy.
"Our senior centers always promote any information that comes from the state on such matter, so we will get the word out," the director said. "The biggest thing will be convincing those who feel they have to have that paper check in their hands every month."
Electronic payments will also provide significant savings to American taxpayers who will no longer incur the $120 million a year price tag associated with paper checks and save $1 billion over the next 10 years. Eliminating paper checks will also provide positive benefits to the environment, saving 12 million pounds of paper in the first five years alone.
To learn more about direct deposit or the Direct Express Debit Mastercard or apply, go to www.GoDirect.org.