Social Security is now providing the option for seniors to obtain their monthly benefit via a debit card.  The government has had successful trials with debit cards and is now offering this choice to everyone who receives Social Security benefits. 

This new benefit will generate a large dollar savings for the government and is deemed to be more efficient for the Social Security recipient.  Debit cards provide the advantage of knowing your money will be deposited on a specific day, instead of waiting for a check in the mail.  Often the checks mailed were delivered later than scheduled and last year alone, 700,000 checks were stolen.  The government savings is approximately 88 cents per payment versus the mailing of a check. 

The card allows withdrawals of money at an ATM just as it would for a normal debit card.  Money on the card is FDIC insured and the card will be replaced if lost or stolen.  The card also provides low-balance notifications and the ability to check your balance. 

The debit card is free of user charges if you only make one withdrawal per payment from any of the network’s approved ATM’s.  If you use your card more frequently, additional withdrawals will cost 90 cents each and ATM out-of-network surcharges may apply.  Requests for special services such as mailed statements cost 75 cents each.  Replacement of a lost card will cost $4.00. 

Seniors on a tight budget will surely enjoy the dependability of a debit card and the convenience of obtaining cash easily.  Anyone currently receiving Social Security benefits can switch to debit card payments by visiting USdirectexpress.com or by calling 877/212-9991.