Most benefits going to plastic

Submitted by goodnatured on Sat, 11/10/2007 - 17:43

The state of Pennsylvania has decided that it will no longer process paper checks for unemployment purposes, you will now be issued a mac type card, so direct deposit is required.

Alot of folks have trouble with this, they don't want the bank account, nor do they want the mac card. I think it should be a choice. we have a few that still don't have the touch tone phone so they come to our agency to use the phone. I don't know how they will function with this card and bank account issue.

I know it sounds like we live in the stoneage but there are still quite a few that resist this change and don't want to or are not capable of using the new technology and choose not too.

There always are people resistant to change, mostly because they haven't had to incorporate the changes into their daily lives. I studied this in school with the internet phenomenon in it's prime. There are still people, mostly older, that do not know how to use the internet. my father doesn't even know how to turn the computer on nor write a check. granted he suffers from PTSD as he is a Vietnam Veteran, but still he just never had to do either one of these essential tasks my mother does them. So, I can see your point good...it should be a choice, i've had many a client in my previous job that do not have a checking account because they bounced too many checks or have horrid credit or have committed fraud, any number of things. I wonder if other states have opted for this too. always changing something that wasn't broke eh?

Sun, 11/11/2007 - 02:41 Permalink

yeah, I think it should be a choice, never thought about what is a person can't get a checking account, there are quite a few people that can't, wonder what they will do about that. I also wonder if you have to withdraw it all at once or if you have to pay the fees involved with the atm. This is all new and gonna take effect here in a few weeks, all the complaints will come in then.

Sun, 11/11/2007 - 04:05 Permalink

Oh sure...get ready for them. I know when I was involved with the program that i was the guidelines both state and federal were constantly changing! we would get our clients to accept the terms and conditions and ensured that they complied then we had to turn around and say 'whoops, sorry state said no, gotta do things differently' i think people are flexible but when it comes to receiving benefits that you rely on so much, it's very difficult to accept changes. good luck to you as I can sympathize for you, and your clients! keep us posted

Sun, 11/11/2007 - 16:24 Permalink

The resistant to change is unbelievable sometimes, although I think there should be a choice, I do understand that some folks must have the check in hand to go and cash it to have the real thing. It will definately be a big adjustment for alot of folks around here.

I guess some people just can't roll with the changes very easily. We will survive and so will they, LOL, it will just take some getting used to on their part.

Sun, 11/11/2007 - 16:54 Permalink
Becky (not verified)

I think people should have a choice, some people just don't trust the banking industry. How do they know that their money is there unless they put it there.

Sun, 11/11/2007 - 22:26 Permalink

I always thought paper was cool at the grocery... :lol:

"paper....or.....plastic" :lol:

Sun, 11/11/2007 - 22:53 Permalink

Interesting.

LA county issues welfare and [some] food benefits through a pair of cards. The cash card can be used at most grocery stores, as well as select ATMs. The food card can be used at most grocery stores for food purchases.

I do not like the idea of forcing people to open an account if they do not want to. The LA county program is great, in that:

- no bank account is required
- no fees are deducted for the cashing of a (now non existent) check

Mon, 11/12/2007 - 03:36 Permalink

Hey debtstinker......

Yeah, I am new....been here for a week or two really enjoy this board... Good info.. And very nice to come to a board and see people actually helping others...

Sorry for my "odd" since of humor!!! I love to see the funny sides of life.. That's the only way I survive!!

Mon, 11/12/2007 - 05:14 Permalink

Welcome to SunDevilsFan.

Morningstar, I am not real sure how it will all work, not real, real sure that they will need a checking or savings account, I assume that since they said that direct deposit is required otherwise they would be issued a card with out the mention of direct deposit.

I am sure we will have more details as things start happening. I live in a rural area and folks have to travel to even get to an atm, there will be tons of complaints as there always is with change.

Mon, 11/12/2007 - 12:44 Permalink

I am an old timer in a sense but I am open to change, I will use the card and have banked online for years so I won't mind the change, it will be in the bank faster with the direct deposit. We had some younger folks stealing social security checks a few years ago, so we won't have to worry about this when it comes to unemployment benefits anyway. Maybe if people would look at it that way they would be more open to the idea.

Thu, 11/15/2007 - 23:38 Permalink

Dadummy, glad to have you here, it is good to hear that you are a flexible person, especially when there is no choice in the matter. Seems like Pa is moving everything towards working with todays technology, good or bad we have to be able to move forward and remain a part of it.

Fri, 11/16/2007 - 15:44 Permalink

I think the changes are good it keeps us all thinking and learning.if we didnt have something new to learn or think about I think it would be boring .also the new changes can make life alot easier.we all are differnt and have differnt opinions.I myself like learning and doing new things .

Tue, 12/04/2007 - 00:30 Permalink

What a great way to look at things crackerjack, it is true that we all can learn something new everyday if we keep an open mind.

My neighbor is an elderly gentleman who hauls the amish to do thier grocery shopping, he asked me to write a letter to the PUC about him having to get a chauffeurs license in order to haul them. I wrote the letter/petition for him today, as well as pulled the rules and regulations along with obtaining the license costs and requirements. He asked me what I owed him. He got the strangest look on his face when I told him that "my payment is knowledge"

I told him that I learned something new today and that was payment enough. He chuckled at the response, but said that it is very true. He then went on to say he will snow blow my driveway, works for me, lol, we got a mess here today. Tough time getting home.

Tue, 12/04/2007 - 01:39 Permalink