WASHINGTON—With four months remaining before the deadline to transition federal payments from paper to electronic methods, the Treasury Department is requesting public input on how to best manage the shift.
In a request for information published in the Federal Register, Treasury invited individuals and organizations to provide input on implementing President Trump’s electronic payments executive order, issued in March.
The RFI also offers respondents the opportunity to “make recommendations to increase public awareness to help consumers, including unbanked and underbanked populations, transition to digital payments.,” FedScoop noted.
Treasury is required to phase out paper check disbursements and receipts by Sept. 30, per Trump’s order, covering intragovernmental payments, benefits payments, vendor payments and tax refunds. Additionally, federal agencies will be expected to transition to electronic funds transfer (EFT) methods, including direct deposit, prepaid card accounts and other digital options, FedScoop said.
“The continued use of paper-based payments by the Federal Government, including checks and money orders, flowing into and out of the United States General Fund, which might be thought of as America’s bank account, imposes unnecessary costs; delays; and risks of fraud, lost payments, theft, and inefficiencies,” Trump’s order said.