Moving Away From Paper Checks Introducing the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Go Direct and Direct Express ® Card

1. Moving Away From Paper ChecksIntroducing the U.S. Department of the Treasury’sGo Direct and Direct Express® CardCampaigns

2. Summary • More than 10 million Americans still receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments by paper check. • Check delivery is susceptible to unforeseen events and circumstances that can delay or prevent people from receiving their Social Security or SSI payment. • Recent hurricanes – including Katrina, Gustav and others – meant thousands of Americans were unable to access their federal benefit checks after they were evacuated or lost mail service.

3. Electronic Payment Options • Switching to electronic payment is a simple but significant step people can take to protect themselves before disaster strikes. • Treasury encourages federal benefit check recipients to switch to one of two safer, more convenient payment options: • Direct Deposit. The Go Direct campaign helps people with bank accounts make the switch. • Direct Express Card. People without bank accounts now have a new safe, user-friendly option: the Direct Express®prepaid debit card.

4. Benefits of Electronic Payment • Safer • In 2008, 485,000 Social Security and SSI paper checks were reported lost or stolen and the payments had to be reissued. • In 2008, the mail delivery of 72,000 Social Security and SSI paper checks was delayed. • Easier • Payments go straight into your bank account with direct deposit, or onto the Direct Express® card – so people can access their money faster. • More control • Payments arrive on time, every time. Money arrives at the same time every month, and it can be accessed from virtually anywhere, so it’s available even during a disaster or evacuation.

5. Go Direct Campaign • The Go Direct campaign motivates people to choose direct deposit. • More than 1,400 partners – financial institutions, community-based organizations, aging agencies, faith-based organizations, police departments and elected officials – spread the word about Go Direct. • Since Go Direct began several years ago, more than 2.5 million Americans have switched to direct deposit.

6. The Direct Express® card • Nationwide, nearly 4 million Social Security and SSI recipients do not have bank accounts and still receive their payments by paper check. • The Direct Express®Debit MasterCard® card is a prepaid debit card designed for people who receive federal benefits by paper check. • Cardholders may use the card to get cash, make purchases and pay bills at thousands of locations nationwide. • Anyone who currently receives Social Security or SSI can sign up for the card.

7. Benefits of the Direct Express® Card • Safety: No need to carry large amounts of cash, no risk of lost or stolen check. • Convenience: Make purchases anywhere Debit MasterCard® is accepted. Get cash at retail locations, banks and credit unions, and ATMs throughout the world. • Control:Money is automatically posted to card accounts on payment day each month. There is no need to wait for a paper check.

8. How much does it cost to use the Direct Express® card? • Most services are free. There is no cost to sign up for the card and no monthly fee • The services provided free of charge include: • Purchases at retail locations, cash back with purchases, or cash withdrawals through tellers at MasterCard® member bank or credit union locations • One ATM cash withdrawal for each deposit each month at a Direct Express surcharge-free network ATM • Balance inquiries at ATMs, by phone or online • Optional notifications of deposits by phone, email or text message • Low balance alert (amount set by cardholder) • Access to the toll-free customer service number 24/7

9. Partnership Opportunities • Add information about direct deposit and the Direct Express card to your workshops, trainings or public speaking engagements on preparing for disasters, especially for senior citizens or individuals with disabilities. • Publish an article in your newsletter or on your Web site about the advantages of electronic payments. • Distribute free informational materials (fliers, etc.) to the people you serve. The campaign offers a disaster preparedness tool kit that includes everything from talking points, information for newsletters, Web banners and more. • Post links to Go Direct and Direct Express on your Web site.

10. We invite your partnership… • The Treasury relies on partners like you to help federal benefit recipients make the switch to a safer, easier payment option. Thank you!