Go Direct!
A Safer, Faster Way For Social Security Beneficiaries To Receive Their Benefits
February 2, 2006 - Georgetown, DE - Jack Markell, Delaware State Treasurer and Matt Helfrich of the U.S. Department of the Treasury unveiled a new program, "Go Direct," which will work to ensure that all Delaware social security beneficiaries know about, understand and use direct deposit at the CHEER Community Center in Georgetown.
"Direct deposit is clearly the safest, fastest and most cost-effective way for Delawareans to receive their benefits," Treasurer Jack Markell said. "Using direct deposit practically eliminates the risk of lost or stolen checks, significantly reduces the incidence of fraud and gives beneficiaries control by providing immediate access to their money from almost anywhere. In addition, it also saves real taxpayer dollars."
National Go Direct Month, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks, is an outreach program designed to get more people who receive Social Security and other federal benefits to make the switch to direct deposit.
More than 300,000 Delawareans receive benefit check payments. If those checks were converted to direct deposit, taxpayers could save nearly $227,000 annually. Nationally, more than 150 million checks are mailed to recipients every year. If these checks were converted to direct deposit, it could save taxpayers approximately $120 million every year.
Lois Lipsett of Bethany Beach, who is a Social Security recipient and a Go Direct participant added, "Direct Deposit is much safer and much more convenient than receiving a check. I don't need to worry about watching my mailbox every month to make sure my check has arrived and then rush to the bank to deposit my check. I really enjoy the freedom and peace of mind that direct deposit provides."
Go Direct has established Web sites, www.GoDirect.org (English) and www.DirectoASuCuenta.org (Spanish), where people can sign up online for direct deposit of federal benefits. The campaign also has toll-free numbers to help people sign up for direct deposit right over the telephone: 800/333-1795 (English or Spanish).
