Rep. Wasserman Schultz to help seniors sign up for direct deposit for social security and veterans benefits

Miami Beach, Fla. – Starting in March, anyone who receives federal benefit checks will have to switch to direct deposit. These changes apply to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, Veterans Affairs (VA), Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management and Department of Labor.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is making these changes for several reasons. Electronic payments provide a safer, more convenient and cost-effective way for people to get their federal benefits than paper checks. This measure also provides significant savings to American taxpayers who will no longer incur the $120 million price tag associated with paper checks – a number that would have ballooned as tens of millions of baby boomers begin to retire.

On Wednesday, January 9, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) will explain to seniors at Council Towers in Miami Beach the need to make this change and Suhay Gonzalez with Miami VA will show seniors how to do it online. Wasserman Schultz will also give an update on what the fiscal cliff deal means for South Florida’s seniors, especially those on Medicare.