Attention caregivers: Federal benefit checks are going all-electronic

Posted: Monday, December 3, 2012 12:00 am | Updated: 3:02 am, Tue Jan 15, 2013.

(BPT) - More than 65 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or elderly family member or friend, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving. In addition to providing emotion and physical support, caregivers are often entrusted to help their loved ones carry out financial decisions.

If you care for someone who receives Social Security or other federal benefit payments by paper check, you may need to help him or her to make an important financial decision. By March 1, 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will pay all federal benefit payments electronically, and federal benefit recipients still receiving paper checks will be required by law to choose an electronic payment option, either direct deposit or the Treasury-recommended Direct Express(R) Debit MasterCard(R) card.