Payment Application Modernization (PAM)

Common Questions

How will PAM affect the way our agency's payments are processed?
There will be changes in the way payments are processed as all validations will be conducted upfront. Once a payment from an agency is certified, it will be processed immediately.

Do I have to use the PAM File Format?
Agencies will not be required to use the PAM File Format, but it will be made available. The flat file format will be ready for the October 2009 implementation; an XML file format will follow. PAM is expecting to only receive data elements that are necessary to make the actual payments and report to accounting systems downstream.

When will my agency's payments be converted to the PAM System?
The current future production releases include:

Release 1 - March 2008
   SSI ACH Payments
Release 2 - February 2009
   SSI Check and Daily Payments
*Release 3 - July 2010
   *Daily Vendor, Misc., Salary, Travel for Type A and Type B payments
Release 3.1 - January 2011
   CTX, Same Day Payment Requests
Releases 4 - 11 - TBD
   Transition remaining Legacy Payments to PAM

*RFC Transition July 2010 – December 2010

Do I need to complete any testing prior to going into production with PAM?
Testing can be arranged with the PAM application prior to going into production. You will need to contact the PAM Project Team to schedule any needed testing.

Who will be my Regional Financial Center contact after my agency's payments are processed by PAM?
You will continue to contact your servicing RFC once your payments are processed by PAM. A PAM help desk will be available to service the RFC's, once PAM is in production. This help desk will be the technical contact number for resolving PAM specific problems.