The Department of the Treasury has announced that it will phase out paper checks for Federal government benefits by March 1, 2013. This new rule will extend the safety and convenience of electronic payments to millions of Americans. People who do not have electronic payments for their federal benefits by that time will receive their funds via a pre-paid debit card. Called the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card, it is issued by Comerica Bank as the financial agent of the U.S. Treasury.  And persons applying for federal benefits for the first time from six agencies on or after May 1, 2011, will receive their payments only through direct deposit to their bank or credit union account or to a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card. The programs affected include the Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management, and Department of Labor (Black Lung).