Appearing in The New York Times on April 4, 2025, Ann Carrns talks to NCLC Associate Director Lauren Saunders for coverage of an executive order from President Trump that will require government agencies to make electronic payments for tax refunds, Social Security and other benefits as of Sept. 30.
The president’s order specified that “limited exceptions” would be made, such as “for people without banking or electronic payment access.”
“We’ll have to see how the exceptions play out.”
Lauren Saunders, associate director of the National Consumer Law Center.
Ms. Saunders noted that people without formal bank accounts could already get federal payments via the Direct Express program, through which the government puts payments on a prepaid debit card, allowing recipients of Social Security, disability or veterans benefits to withdraw cash or pay bills.
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