[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 31, Volume 2] [Revised as of July 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 31CFR208.10] [Page 49-50] TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY CHAPTER II--FISCAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PART 208_MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL AGENCY DISBURSEMENTS--Table of Contents Sec. 208.10 Reservation of rights. The Secretary reserves the right, in the Secretary's discretion, to waive any provision(s) of this regulation in any case or class of cases. Appendix A to Part 208--Model Disclosure for Use Until ETA \SM\ Becomes Available The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires that most Federal payments be made by electronic funds transfer after January 2, 1999. If you are currently receiving your Federal payment by check or you have just become eligible to begin receiving a Federal payment, you have several choices: (1) Receive your payment by Direct Deposit through the financial institution of your choice. The Government makes payments electronically through a program called Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit is a safe, convenient, and reliable way to receive your Federal payment through a financial institution. (A financial institution can be a bank, credit union, savings bank, or thrift.) Many financial institutions offer basic, low- cost accounts in addition to full-service checking or savings accounts. (2) Do nothing now and wait for a basic, low-cost account, called an ETA \SM\, to become available. If you do not have an account with a financial institution, you do not need to do anything now. In the future a low-cost account, called an ETA \SM\, will be available at many financial institutions. Like Direct Deposit, the ETA \SM\ (which stands for electronic transfer account) is a safe, convenient, and reliable way to receive your Federal payment through a financial institution. You are eligible to open this account, at a low monthly fee, if you receive a Federal benefit, wage, salary, or retirement payment. [Agency name] will contact you and let you know when the ETA \SM\ is available and which financial institutions in your area offer the account. (3) Continue to receive a check. If receiving your payment electronically would cause you a hardship because you have a physical or mental disability, or because of a geographic, language, or literacy barrier, you may receive your payment by check. In addition, if receiving your payment electronically would cause you a financial hardship because it would cost you more than receiving your payment by check, you may receive your payment by check. Please call [agency name] at [agency customer service number] if you would like more information on Direct Deposit, the ETA \SM\, or hardship waivers. Appendix B to Part 208--Model Disclosure for Use After ETA \SM\ Becomes Available The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires that most Federal payments be made by electronic funds transfer after January 2, 1999. If you are currently receiving your Federal payment by check or you have just become eligible to begin receiving a Federal payment, you have several choices: (1) Receive your payment by Direct Deposit through the financial institution of your choice. The Government makes payments electronically through a program called Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit is a safe, convenient, and reliable way to receive your Federal payment through a financial institution. (A financial institution can be a bank, credit union, savings bank, or thrift.) Many financial institutions offer basic, low- cost accounts in addition to full-service checking or savings accounts. (2) Receive your payment through a basic, low-cost account called an ETA \SM\. If you receive a Federal benefit, wage, salary, or retirement payment, you are eligible to open an ETA \SM\. This account is available for a low monthly fee at many financial institutions. Like Direct Deposit, the ETA \SM\ (which stands for electronic transfer account) is a safe, convenient, and reliable way to receive your Federal payment through a financial institution. Please call the customer service number listed below to find out which financial institutions in your area offer the ETA \SM\. (3) Continue to receive a check. If receiving your payment electronically would cause you a hardship because you have a physical or mental disability, or because of a geographic, language, or literacy barrier, you may receive your payment by check. In addition, if receiving your payment electronically would cause you a financial hardship because it would cost you more than receiving your payment by check, you may receive your payment by check. Please call [agency name] at [agency customer service number] if you would like [[Page 50]] more information on Direct Deposit, the ETA \SM\, or hardship waivers.