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US Treasury signs over 500,000 SSI recipients to Direct Express Debit MasterCard program

Wednesday 22 July 2009 00:05 CET | News

Over 500,000 Americans have signed up for the Direct Express Debit MasterCard provided by the Financial Management Service department of the US Department of the Treasury in the one-year interval since the card was launched, recent reports indicate.

The Direct Express card was designed for the approximately 4 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients in the US who lack access to basic traditional banking services. The card, aims to provide a lower-cost alternative to visiting cheque cashing facilities and carrying large amounts of cash. Cardholders can carry out purchases, withdraw cash and pay their bills. No bank account or credit check is required to enroll, there are no sign-up fees, monthly fees or overdraft charges.

According to the same report, 95 percent of surveyed Direct Express Debit MasterCard cardholders say they are satisfied with the card and 86 percent say they would recommend it to family members or friends who receive a federal benefit payment.


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Keywords: US Treasury, Direct Express Debit MasterCard, Financial Management Service Department, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, SSI recipient
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