Social Security

Identification Number:	EM-23035
Intended Audience:	All RCs/ARCs/ADs/FOs/TSCs/PSCs/OCO/OCO-CSTs
Originating Office:	DCBFM OFPO
Title:	Bank of America - CashPay Card Transition
Type:	EM - Emergency Messages
Program:	Title II (RSI); Title XVI (SSI)
Link To Reference:	See References at the end of this EM

Retention Date: November 15, 2023


A. Purpose

This emergency message (EM) is to inform technicians of how to handle inquiries regarding the Bank of America (BoA) CashPay card. BoA is directing cardholder inquiries to the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the message to establish a new direct deposit payment method.

This EM will guide technicians in the Field Office (FO), Teleservice Center (TSC), or Processing Center (PC) on how to address these inquiries.

B. Background

In the early 2000’s, BoA participated in an electronic transfer account (ETA) pilot program with Fiscal Service. ETA was formally transitioned in 2005 to BoA’s present day CashPay prepaid debit card. Today, there are approximately 800 SSA beneficiaries and recipients who use the CashPay program.

In 2023, BoA decided to sunset the CashPay card program. On 04/01/2023, BoA stopped allowing payments from loading to the CashPay card. Therefore, no payments going forward from this timeframe would be loaded onto the card and would reject back to the paying agency with a Return Reason Code R20.

BoA sent the first batch of notices to cardholders on 5/1/2023, stating that cardholders have until 7/31/2023 to spend down the balance on the CashPay card. After that date, BoA will issue a check for the remaining balance.

C. Instructions

SSA technicians who receive calls from individuals regarding the CashPay card, can identify the CashPay card by the following information:

· Routing Transit Number (RTN) 051000101
· Account Numbers Prefixed with 451

SSA technician must not direct the beneficiary back to BoA. The SSA technician should update the existing banking information, following current direct deposit policy and procedures, per the beneficiary’s request.

Direct all program–related and technical questions to your RO support staff or PSC OA staff. RO support staff or PSC OA staff may refer questions or problems to their Central Office contacts.

References

GN 02402.001 – Direct Deposit as a Form of Electronic Payment
GN 02402.005 – Direct Deposit Information for All Types of Interviews
GN 02402.025 – Direct deposit Post Entitlement Interview

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