People who still receive a paper check are required by law to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013. That’s only a few short weeks from now.

Make a final push in these last days to tell every customer who cashes a government benefit check in your branches that they are required to switch and then help them sign up for direct deposit right away.

Many people may wait until the last minute to make the switch. By urging people to switch now, you will ensure they experience a smooth transition to direct deposit and help reduce your lobby lines on and around March 1, 2013.

People who do not choose direct deposit by the deadline may be issued a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card.

Switching people to direct deposit is easy. There are three simple ways you and frontline staff can help people switch from paper federal benefit checks to direct deposit:

• Sign up people on the spot using your bank’s enrollment process.
• Use the online enrollment system provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Go Direct® campaign. Download the online enrollment guide or start enrolling people right away at www.GoDirect.org.
• If people aren’t ready to sign up on the spot, urge them to switch online at www.GoDirect.org or by calling the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at (800) 333-1795 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

The Treasury Department’s Go Direct campaign makes it easy for banks to train frontline staff to urge federal benefit check recipients to switch now before time runs out. Visit the Partners section of www.GoDirect.org for downloadable resources such as a teller training webinar, teller reminder messages, best practices and more. 

You can also find free materials to share with your customers on www.GoDirect.org such as sample newsletter copy, fliers, posters, social media posts and statement messages.