Did They Notice The Irony?

From a press release issued by Allsup, a large non-attorney representer of Social Security disability claimants:

The nationwide rollout has begun and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients in some states already have the option of receiving their benefit payments electronically on a debit card, rather than via a paper check. However, eligible individuals – many of whom are “unbanked” – should have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of opting for the debit card, particularly the financial ramifications, according to Allsup, which represents tens of thousands of people in the SSDI process each year. ...

One of the reasons that some Social Security recipients continue to insist on paper checks is the fear that their bank accounts could be attached by creditors. However, under federal law, Social Security benefit payments are protected from attachment, meaning creditors do not have the right to take these funds from a recipient’s bank account. The same rules will apply to funds placed on Direct Express debit cards. ...

''At any given time, there are likely millions of dollars in Social Security payments that are at risk because people on fixed incomes got into debt or are having a dispute with a creditor,'' said Gada. ''Unfortunately, they are acting on inaccurate information that has them afraid to put their money into bank accounts where it can be protected and they can be afforded other benefits of being banked.''

Here is a little nugget from Allsup's website concerning the services Allsup offers to corporations:

Maximize Social Security offsets and overpayment recovery for disabled participants. With our Overpayment Recovery Service, we will: ...

Recover

:

Withdraw overpayment funds directly from claimant’s bank account using our patented electronic process.