ALBANY, GA --
The SOWEGA Council on Aging is trying to educate elders on the fast-approaching March 1st Go Direct deadline that will require all people to switch to electronic payments from the United States Treasury Department.

The department gave people that will be affected a year to make the switch but now the deadline is almost here and Georgia Cares Coordinator with the SOWEGA Council on Aging Brian Ramey says he wants to make sure everyone knows what to expect.

Those who receive checks from the treasury department like social security, retirement, or military benefits will no longer receive them in paper format. People have the option to set up a direct deposit with their bank account or accept future payments on a prepaid debit card.

Ramey says the office has tried to educate elders, who are sometimes not computer savvy, of how to make the change but there are always people who slip through the cracks.

If a person does not call, go online or go to their bank to set up direct deposit, they will automatically receive the prepaid card instead.

Ramey says if you somehow miss the deadline, don't worry you will still get your check, it just won't be as quick.

The department is making the switch to try and save money used on all of the paper and prevent lost or stolen checks.

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