The U.S. Department of the Treasury is sending a direct mail letter in the coming weeks to a select group of VA Compensation or Pension check recipients to encourage them to switch from a paper check to the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card for their payments. The Direct Express® card is endorsed by VA and is safer, easier and more convenient than receiving a paper check.                                                                                                                    Who will receive the mailer and when? In May and June 2010, 150,000 VA Compensation or Pension check recipients in Texas, New York, California, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, and West Virginia will receive the mailer, which will include a letter from Treasury’s Financial

Management Service, a brochure explaining the features and benefits of the card, and a form they can use to sign up for the card by mail.  (A postage-paid envelope will also be included.) VA Compensation or Pension beneficiaries can also sign up by phone at (888) 544-6347.                                    How will a VA Compensation or Pension beneficiary know the mailing is legitimate? The return address will display the name “Department of the Treasury, U.S. Treasury Processing Center,” and the letter inside will be signed by Walt Henderson, Director of Treasury’s EFT Strategy Division.

How might VA Compensation or Pension beneficiaries hear about the Direct Express card even if they don’t receive the mailing? If a VA Compensation or Pension beneficiary also receives Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, he/she may have heard about the Direct Express card through check inserts sent by the Treasury Department. Additionally, VA will provide information about the mailing and the Direct Express card to its veteran service organization partners, regional offices and call centers, and on its website.                                                            If a VA Compensation or Pension check recipient does not receive the mailer, can he/she still sign up for the card now? Yes. The beneficiary can call the U.S. Treasury Processing Center at (888) 544-6347 to switch to the Direct Express card.

Sign-Up for our FREE Veteran Newsletters and FREE Veteran Alerts. Full name:  * required Email address:  * required Comments: I agree to receive FREE veteran newsletters and alerts. Yes No