U.S. Treasury urges Oklahoma's federal benefit recipients to act now in response to electronic payment rule

Oklahoma recipients of federal benefits still are receiving nearly 61,000 paper checks each month with less than four months left until the deadline to switch to direct deposit or another form of electronic payment, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

“If you or a loved one haven't yet made the switch, please take note of this new law and sign up for electronic payments today,” said David Lebryk, commissioner of the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service.

Nearly 766,000 monthly federal benefit payments are already made to Oklahomans via direct deposit to a bank or credit union account, or to the Direct Express Debit MasterCard card. The card allows federal benefit recipients to pay bills, withdraw cash and make purchases without paying check-cashing fees.