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By Richard Haug, FPA Enterprise Solutions Division

As we all know, the government continues to seek ways to increase efficiencies, enhance reporting, eliminate paper, and embrace technology wherever possible.  One of the many tools the Financial Management Service (FMS) uses, to help government agencies accomplish this mission, is the U.S. Debit Card program.

The U.S. Debit Card Program is operated by the Agency Enterprise Solutions Division (AES) of Federal Finance at FMS. The primary focus of the program is to provide Federal Program Agencies (FPAs) with the ability to eliminate Treasury checks or paper vouchers, enhance their missions and provide modern methods to achieve their goals.

One of the original customers of the program, the U.S. Census Bureau, began using the card in 1999 for some of its demographic surveys. You may not be aware that Census continually conducts surveys, in addition to the census, which is done every 10 years. Some Census surveys offer the debit cards as an incentive for respondents to participate in the survey, which may result in improved response rates. In addition, using the debit card eliminates the need for Census staff to mail or carry other forms of payment for these incentive programs, thereby minimizing loss and enhancing safety.

Another FPA that has enjoyed success using the U.S. Debit Card is the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST). This office is responsible for the administration and management of Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts containing funds held in trust by the United States for individual American Indians. Significant portions of these recipients are unbanked and receive funds from their accounts by Treasury check. OST felt that the U.S. Debit Card would provide their Agency with a method to reduce costs (eliminating checks), but more importantly allow their beneficiaries a faster and safer receipt of their money. A recent survey for the U.S. Debit Card program indicated a satisfaction rate greater than 80% among users.

A third participant in the U.S. Debit Card Program is Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative branch of the Department of Homeland Security. On a frequent basis, ICE field agents require immediate access to funds for enforcement activities. The U.S. Debit Card has proven to be a successful means for ICE to accomplish their mission― so much so that they recently expanded its use.

The Bureau of Prisons, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Marshals Service are just a handful of FPAs that have recently approached FMS with regards to using the U.S. Debit Card Program to help them meet their mission.

We, at AES, stand ready to provide innovative solutions that will help FPAs achieve their goals, while also providing tremendous value to the taxpayer.

For more information on the U.S. Debit Card program, contact Richard Haug at
202-874-6955 or richard.haug@fms.treas.gov.

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