Beginning March 1, paper checks will be a thing of the past for those receiving benefits from the federal government, and United Way of West Central Mississippi has taken on the task of spreading the word.

In seven months, recipients of Social Security, veteran’s benefits, Supplemental Security Income and other federal income will be forced to choose between direct deposit and a Direct Express debit card to get those benefits.

“We’re trying to make sure we have a plan in place so we’re ready before March 2013,” United Way Executive Director Barbara Tolliver said at a meeting. “We’re taking small steps, but we’re trying to reach everybody to let them know.”

Tolliver met with United Way volunteers Tuesday to discuss ideas for educating the public about the U.S. Treasury Department’s Go Direct push.

“We want to educate people on the importance of being proactive,” Tolliver said. “We want to make sure we can get the word out.”

Tolliver shared statistics from the Social Security Administration that show 9,724 Social Security recipients in Warren County and 773 of those still receiving paper checks.

“We started this initiative three months ago, and this is progress,” Tolliver said.

Christy Wilson, director of marketing and communications for United Way, said speaking at community events and placing fliers across town are the two main ways they hope to educate people.

“We want to reach the most people and be as effective as possible,” Wilson said. “People need to understand their options.”

Wilson said if people have not voluntarily made the switch from paper checks by March 1, they will automatically be given the Direct Express debit card.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the reasons for changing to a direct deposit system are related to cost and safety. Eliminating paper checks will save taxpayers $10 million over the next 10 years.

Additionally, it’s a security measure. More than 540,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income paper checks were reported lost or stolen last year, the department said.

For more information about changing payment options, contact the United Way of West Central Mississippi at 601-636-1733, the Social Security Administration at 1-800-964-0996 or visit www.GoDirect.org. Wilson said local banks also have information concerning Go Direct