[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 31, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
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

[[Page 50]]

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.