DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709120584

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: WASHINGTON                        LENGTH:   32 lines

GET A GOVERNMENT CHECK? SOON THE MONEY MAY NOT BE COMING TO YOU ON PAPER

[This story is not available electronically. For complete text, please see microfilm.] ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

HIGHLIGHTS

A look at proposed Treasury Department rules.

What's covered: All federal payments, except tax refunds.

Who's affected: Social Security recipients; other federal

beneficiaries, such as veterans, federal employees; and businesses

contracting with the government.

Waivers: The Treasury Department proposes waivers for anyone,

except a business, who's been receiving checks since before July 26,

1996. Recipients can claim a waiver due to physical disability or

``geographical barrier,'' meaning they live too far from or would

have difficulty getting to a bank. People without bank accounts

could also claim a waiver based on financial hardship.

Electronic transfer accounts: For people without accounts, the

government is developing ``electronic transfer accounts'' through

banks, savings institutions and credit unions. They'd probably

charge a monthly fee of a few dollars and permit ATM withdrawals.

Deposits of other checks might be permitted, but not check-writing

privileges.

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