Washington – The Treasury Department, seeking to help
people dislocated by Hurricane Katrina, said Tuesday that it was
extending the deadline for people to apply to have their Social
Security checks deposited directly in their bank accounts.
Officials said that people would have until Sunday to enroll so
that their October checks will be provided through direct deposit
rather than being mailed. The offer covers both Social Security and
Supplemental Security Income benefits.
To enroll for direct deposit, people were asked to call a
nationwide toll-free number 1-877-654-6347. While people need
bank accounts to take advantage of direct deposit, people staffing
the help line will be able to offer guidance on how callers can set
up bank accounts.
“During this most difficult time, we hope this simple step will
reduce evacuees’ worries about their payments,” Richard Gregg,
head of Treasury’s Financial Management Service, said in a
statement. His agency is responsible for distributing Social
Security and SSI benefits.
