http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel
WASHINGTON (December 15, 2008) - Every month,
730,000 veterans or survivors look for their
compensation, pension checks or educational
assistance payments in their mailboxes. Nearly
all receive them, but theft and mail delays
cause problems for some veterans, which can be
prevented by direct deposits.The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) is urging those
veterans and family members now receiving paper
checks to join nearly 3.1 million others whose
VA payments are safely deposited electronically.
"VA is teaming up with the Treasury
Department in a new campaign to protect
government beneficiaries against the theft of
funds and of their identities," said Secretary
of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
"Veterans earned - and rely on - the financial
support we send them every month. I urge them to
help VA ensure they get those funds reliably and
safely by signing up for direct deposit."
Peake cited several easy ways to sign up for
direct deposit - calling VA toll-free at (800)
333-1795 or enrolling online at www.GoDirect.org.
Veterans, and family members who receive VA
payments, also can sign up by contacting a VA
regional benefits office or their financial
institution. Information about direct deposits
will be included in VA's monthly compensation
and pension envelopes throughout 2009.
The VA Secretary urged veterans to remember
that direct deposits relieve worry about mail
delivery being delayed by severe weather or
natural disasters. The deposits also eliminate
trips to banks or credit unions to deposit
checks, while providing immediate access to
money at the same time each month. |
