Scribd
Upload
36 views4 pages

Timely COVID-19 Benefit Payments Update

Your benefit payments will continue on time during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can check your Direct Express card balance online or via phone. If you have questions about payments or signing up for direct deposit, contact your benefit-paying agency by phone or online.

Uploaded by

Humble Rhy
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views4 pages

Timely COVID-19 Benefit Payments Update

Your benefit payments will continue on time during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can check your Direct Express card balance online or via phone. If you have questions about payments or signing up for direct deposit, contact your benefit-paying agency by phone or online.

Uploaded by

Humble Rhy
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Updated March 15, 2021

COVID-19 Update:
Your benefit payments will continue to be on time.

We’re all seeing disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But be assured: Your federal benefit
payments will still be on time.

With direct deposit or your Direct Express® card, your payments are reliable and secure. You can
count on them in any situation.

That’s why we encourage everyone to receive their benefit payments electronically. You can sign up
for either direct deposit by visiting [Link] or the Direct Express® debit card by calling
1-800-333-1795 (toll-free).

During this pandemic, please take extra care to protect yourself from scammers. Remember that
government agencies will never ask for your personal information or ask you to pay them to receive
your benefit payments. This blog post and video from the Federal Trade Commission explains how to
protect yourself from scammers.

Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Payments)

For information about Economic Impact Payments, please visit the official IRS Economic
Impact Payment Information Center.

NOTE: According to the IRS, the first batch of payments was sent by direct deposit starting
March 12. Additional batches of payments will be sent in the coming weeks.

For other common concerns, please check our list of questions on the following pages.

Page 1 of 4
Receiving Your Benefits

Will my benefit payment be delayed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?


No, your benefit payment will not be delayed. All benefit payments, whether received electronically or by check, will
continue to be made on time. If you receive your benefit payment electronically, your money will be available
immediately on your payment date in your Direct Express® debit card account or the bank account you use for direct
deposit. If you receive your benefit payment by check, it is possible you could experience delays in receiving your mail.

What happens to my Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and other federal
benefits during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?
All benefit payments will continue to be made on time, on payment date without interruption. Please note that
electronic payments are faster, safer and more convenient than a check payment. That’s why we encourage everyone
to get their benefit payments electronically. You can sign up for either direct deposit by visiting [Link] or the
Direct Express® debit card by calling 1-800-333-1795 (toll-free).

Your Direct Express® Account

How do I check the balance on my Direct Express® card?


You can view your account information at [Link] or on the Direct Express® mobile app. Log in to check
your balance and view account activity.

You can also obtain account balance information by calling the Direct Express® card toll-free phone number on the
back of your card, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The automated system provides your balance and pending
deposits. You can also use it to listen to transactions and replace a lost/stolen/damaged card.

Using the automated system is a great way to obtain information without waiting to talk to a customer service
representative. Please note that due to the COVID-19 situation, you may experience longer call wait times if you
decide to speak with a representative.

Contacting Us

If you have questions or concerns about your benefit payments, we’re always here to help
you. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recommend using self-service options.
• Log in to your account on the Direct Express® website or mobile app to check your balance, view account activity,
transfer funds, and use a variety of additional services. This is the fastest way to access account information and
services.
• Sign up for email and text alerts that will notify you when deposits, withdrawals, and transactions have been
posted to your account.
• Call the Direct Express® card toll-free Customer Service Department phone number on the back of your card, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. You can use the automated system to obtain information without waiting to talk to a

Page 2 of 4
Benefit Payments During COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

customer service representative. Due to the COVID-19 situation, you may experience longer call wait times to
speak with a representative.
• Contact your paying agency. Please note that some benefit-paying agencies have closed their offices to the
public, but you can still reach them by phone or online (see below for benefit paying agency contact information).

Will Direct Express® customer service be affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?
When you call the number on the back of your Direct Express® card, you can use the automated system to check your
balance and pending deposits, listen to transactions and replace a lost/stolen/damaged card. Using the automated
system is a great way to obtain information without waiting to talk to a customer service representative.

Our Direct Express® customer service call centers remain open for your calls. Please note that due to the COVID-19
situation, you may experience longer call wait times to speak with a representative.

We encourage you to log into your account on the Direct Express® website or mobile app to take advantage of self-
service options such as checking your card balance and verifying deposits.

Who do I contact if I have questions or issues about my Direct Express® card or account?
If you have questions about your Direct Express® account or services, you may visit [Link] or call the
toll-free Customer Service Department phone number on the back of your card. Please note that due to the COVID-19
situation, you may experience longer call wait times.

Who do I call if I have questions or issues about my benefit payment?


Please contact your paying agency directly for any questions or issues about your benefit payment. Please note that
some benefit-paying agencies have closed their offices to the public, but you can still reach them by phone or online.

Social Security Administration


Online: [Link]
Phone: 1-800-772-1213

Department of Veterans Affairs


Online: [Link]
Phone: 1-800-827-1000

Railroad Retirement Board


Online: [Link]
Phone: 1-877-772-5772

Department of Labor (Black Lung)


Online: [Link]/owcp/dcmwc
Phone: 1-800-347-2503

Office of Personnel Management (Civil Service)


Online: [Link]
Phone: 1-888-767-6378

Page 3 of 4
Benefit Payments During COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Getting Direct Payments

Given the current circumstances, I would like to stop receiving my benefit payment via paper
check. Can I still sign up for direct deposit or the Direct Express® debit card?
Yes, you can sign up for electronic payments by contacting your federal paying agency (see “Contact Us” above for
benefit-paying agency contact information). Please note that some benefit-paying agencies have closed their offices to
the public, but you can still reach them by phone to sign up.

You can also visit [Link] or call 1-877-874-6347 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET to sign up for
direct deposit.

You can sign up for the Direct Express® debit card by calling 1-800-333-1795 (toll-free).

Page 4 of 4

Common questions

Powered by AI

Beneficiaries are urged to protect their Direct Express® card information during the pandemic to prevent fraud, as the increase in remote transactions heightens vulnerability to scams and unauthorized access. Government advisories highlight that personal information should not be disclosed to unsolicited requests .

To protect beneficiaries from scams during the pandemic, security measures include educating recipients that government agencies will never ask for personal information or payment to release benefits. Emphasis is placed on using secure, electronic payment methods like direct deposit and the Direct Express® card to avoid vulnerabilities of paper checks .

Beneficiaries are encouraged to use self-service options for managing their benefits during the pandemic to reduce call wait times, increase convenience, and ensure continuous access to necessary services. These options also empower users to independently manage their accounts without dependency on potentially overwhelmed customer service lines .

Electronic benefit payments are faster, safer, and more convenient compared to check payments during disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. They are immediate on payment dates and protect against mail delays that can affect check deliveries. Additionally, electronic systems reduce the risk of scams associated with physical checks .

Measures to ensure timely benefit payments during the COVID-19 pandemic include encouraging recipients to use electronic payment methods, such as direct deposit or the Direct Express® card, because these payments are immediate and reliable. Additionally, government entities assure that benefit payments, regardless of being electronic or via mail, will continue to be made on the scheduled payment dates .

Beneficiaries are advised to use the Direct Express® website or mobile app for account management to avoid longer phone wait times. They can check balances, view transactions, and set up alerts for account activity, which offers both convenience and real-time account monitoring during the pandemic .

If beneficiaries experience delays in receiving benefit checks through mail during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is advised to verify their mailing status with their paying agency and consider transitioning to electronic payments, which are not subject to mail disruptions .

Federal agencies have temporarily closed physical offices to the public due to the pandemic, focusing instead on phone and online services for questions and benefit payment issues. This change ensures continuous support while maintaining safety protocols against the virus .

Beneficiaries wishing to switch from receiving checks to electronic payments during the pandemic should contact their federal paying agency via phone, as some office locations may be closed. They can also sign up for direct deposit through GoDirect.gov or via toll-free numbers provided for quick setup .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Direct Express® card service has adapted by maintaining open customer service call centers to handle inquiries, although longer wait times may occur. To address this, they encourage users to utilize self-service options like the Direct Express® website and mobile app to monitor accounts and transactions, which reduces dependence on live customer support .

You might also like