Direct Deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer) is the electronic transfer of your paycheck, benefit check or other payment into your checking, share draft or savings account, or other low-cost account offered by your bank. Instead of receiving a check in the mail and taking it to your financial institution, you can rest assured that your money is in your account. The money is available to you the morning of the payment date.
Do I have to sign up for Direct Deposit (EFT)?Yes, it's required, All federal benefit payments must be paid electronically. If you get federal benefits, such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans' benefits, civil service retirement, military federal retirement, or railroad retirement payments, you must get your benefits by Direct Deposit (EFT).
How do I get my federal payment by Direct Deposit (EFT)?If you have a bank account or credit union account:
Your benefit payment will be deposited directly into your account. Learn more about Direct Deposit
If you do not have a bank or credit union account
Your benefit payment will be put on a card that you use to buy items at stores, gas stations, and on the internet, pay bills, get cash, etc.
What about tax refund payments?You can get many other federal payments by Direct Deposit (EFT) that are not part of the GoDirect® or DirectExpress® programs. If you don't already get your tax refund deposited directly, you can arrange for it on next year's tax return. See Tax Refunds FAQ
What about payments for federal employees?You can get many other federal payments by Direct Deposit (EFT) that are not part of the GoDirect® or DirectExpress® programs. For federal employee payments, download the FASTSTART Direct Deposit (Form 2231), fill it out, sign it, and submit it to your HR department.
What about payments to benefit recipients SSA/SSI, RRB, OPM?You can get many other federal payments by Direct Deposit (EFT) that are not part of the GoDirect® or DirectExpress® programs. For payments to benefit recipients, contact your financial institution or call 1-800-333-1795 (English) / 1-800-333-1792 (Spanish) or visit www.GoDirect.gov.
Download Form 1200 (English), fill out, sign, and mail it to the appropriate paying agency. (Or, if needed, download Form 1200 (Espanol) instead).
To authorize your benefit payment(s) to be paid to your prepaid card, contact the prepaid provider, request your banking information and contact your paying agency to provide them with the new banking instructions so that your benefits are sent to your card.
What about payments to other non-vendors?You can get many other federal payments by Direct Deposit (EFT) that are not part of the GoDirect® or DirectExpress® programs. For payments to other non-vendors, contact your financial institution. Download form SF 1199A, fill out, and mail it to the appropriate paying agency.
What about payments to vendors?You can get many other federal payments by Direct Deposit (EFT) that are not part of the GoDirect® or DirectExpress® programs. For payments to vendors, contact the appropriate federal agency or financial institution. Download form SF 3881, fill it out, sign it, and mail it to the appropriate federal agency.
Last modified 06/18/24
Direct Deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer)
A program of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service