| The Treasury Department, in conjunction with | | | | free withdrawal from a network ATM per month; all |
| Comerica Bank based in Dallas, has created a social | | | | other ATM withdrawals within the network will cost 90 |
| security Direct Express Debit MasterCard as an | | | | cents. |
| alternative to paper checks for those persons who do | | | | - Non-network ATM use will incur the 90 cent fee in |
| not have bank accounts. The debit card is now | | | | addition to the surcharge of the other bank, which can |
| available in ten southern states, but is on its way | | | | be as much as 3 dollars per cash withdrawal. |
| toward the north and western states. Missouri social | | | | - Social security debit cards are costly to use outside |
| security lawyers are ready to answer clients’ | | | | the U.S. ATM withdrawals can incur both a bank fee |
| questions regarding the pros and cons of using this | | | | as well as 3 percent of the amount withdrawn. Debit |
| free debit card that will be an option in the coming | | | | purchases also cost an additional 3 percent of your |
| months. | | | | total amount. Your best bet is to use your one month |
| The Advantages of the Direct Express Debit | | | | free withdrawal from a network ATM before you |
| MasterCard: | | | | travel abroad or to Mexico or Canada and exchange it |
| - Will help about 4 million Americans who do not have | | | | for the country’s currency. |
| a bank account, and must receive paper checks. | | | | - Paper statements cost 75 cents a month. Best |
| - Will reduce the vulnerability of check fraud | | | | option is to receive them via email and print them |
| - Dramatically help the delay of checks mailed in | | | | yourself. |
| hurricane-ridden states such as Alabama, Florida, | | | | - Online billing from Comerica will also incur a 50 cent |
| Louisiana and Mississippi | | | | per bill charge. Use the merchant’s Website to |
| - No sign-up fees | | | | make payments or purchases online. |
| - No monthly fees | | | | - Only 1 free replacement card each year; additional |
| - No overdraft fees | | | | replacements cost $4.00, or $13.50 if you require an |
| - No credit check is required to enroll | | | | overnight delivery. |
| - Gain access to cash via an ATM, bank teller or | | | | Obviously many people have several concerns about |
| retailer | | | | the fees and limitations of the SSA’s alternative |
| - Set up free “low balance” alerts via email or | | | | payment system. Even those folks who have not |
| phone | | | | started receiving social security have voiced their |
| While the advantages look appealing with all the | | | | disdain about such a program. While others are simply |
| “freebies” and usability, Missouri social security | | | | concerned about the amount of social security they |
| lawyers remind their clients to read the fine print. The | | | | receive or may receive in the future to cover daily |
| same holds true for SSA’s new debit card | | | | living expenses such as heat, electricity, food and |
| because there are still fees associated with the little | | | | medical bills. What happens when their monthly checks |
| plastic card that all people should be aware of. Nothing | | | | run out before the end of the month or they require |
| is a “one-for-all” payment plan, so be sure to | | | | more money to cover unforeseen medical bills? How |
| read the small print at the bottom of the agreement | | | | will the social security administration help those who |
| for this debit card, even if you have to use those extra | | | | need it most? |
| strength reading glasses. | | | | If you need further information or have greater |
| The Disadvantages of the Direct Express Debit | | | | concerns with this new system, your Missouri social |
| MasterCard:- ATM fees – users can make one | | | | security lawyers are just a phone call away. |