Changes to the Direct Express Social Security Payment Program: What You Need to Know

Millions of Social Security and SSI beneficiaries will soon receive information about an important update to the payment program.

Although payments will continue arriving as usual, the federal government announced a change in the financial institution responsible for managing these prepaid debit cards.

Why it matters: About 3.5 million people use Direct Express to receive their federal benefits.

The transition will affect account administration, so users should pay attention to future official communications.

What Are the Changes to the Social Security Payment Program This Year?

The Social Security Administration reported that the Bureau of the Fiscal Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury selected Fifth Third Bank as the new financial agent for the Direct Express program.

Currently, Direct Express cards are managed by Comerica. However, responsibility will gradually shift to Fifth Third Bank during a transition that will begin late this year or early next year.

According to the federal agency in an official statement, beneficiaries will receive notices before any change related to their accounts takes place.

Direct Express Social Security Payment Program Changes – PHOTO: Shutterstock

The update is part of the program’s administration and does not modify eligibility rules for receiving benefits.

Social Security Payments Will Continue Arriving Normally

One of the issues that most concerns beneficiaries is the possibility of interruptions in deposits.

However, authorities clarified that users should not experience changes in the amount or frequency of the payments they receive each month.

According to information reported by Newsweek, the transition focuses only on the financial institution that administers the Direct Express program.

Direct Express Social Security Payment Program Changes – PHOTO: Shutterstock

This means Social Security and SSI deposits will continue being made under the usual calendar established by the Social Security Administration.

Beneficiaries will continue having access to their funds while the transition process is underway.

What Direct Express Users Should Do

The main recommendation for those who use the Direct Express card is to keep their contact information up to date.

The Social Security Administration indicated that future communications related to the transition will be sent directly to affected beneficiaries.

It was also reported that cards currently issued by Comerica will continue working normally until their expiration date.

For that reason, users do not need to request a new card immediately or make urgent changes to their accounts.

Authorities recommend paying attention only to official notices that will be sent over the coming months.

Direct Express Social Security Payment Program Changes – PHOTO: Shutterstock

Who Is Affected by the Change

The update specifically affects people who receive their federal benefits through the Direct Express prepaid debit card.

This program allows Social Security and SSI payments to be deposited directly onto a card, eliminating the need for a traditional bank account.

Currently, more than 3.5 million beneficiaries use this system to access their monthly funds.

For them, the main change will be the new financial agent responsible for managing the program.

Who Will Not See Any Change

Beneficiaries who receive their payments through direct deposit into a bank account are not included in this transition.

Those who use other electronic methods besides Direct Express to receive their federal benefits will also not be affected.

In those cases, deposits will continue working exactly as they do now, with no changes related to Fifth Third Bank or Comerica.

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What’s Next

The transition will begin toward the end of this year or early next year.

During that period, Direct Express users will receive official instructions and updates about the process.

In the meantime, the main recommendation is to keep contact information up to date and continue using current cards until authorities indicate otherwise.