VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits

Stuck in my apartment due to exceptional snow and ice, I was struck by the utility of a campaign to encourage the direct deposit of veterans' benefit checks. A few minutes of effort can save a lot of trouble, especially when the weather is uncooperative.

Here's the press release:

"VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits
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."

MORE VA PRESS RELEASES: http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel