Is it true that the government will tack on a fee for the federally mandated direct deposit of Social Security checks?

No.

Since May 1, new benefits applicants have had to choose between receiving their money through direct deposit or via a debit card. People enrolled before then have until March 1, 2013, to select one or the other electronic payment method.

People who fail to pick one will automatically begin receiving their benefits via debit card — use of which will, like most bank cards, incur fees under certain circumstances.

The fees, according to the website for the Treasury Department’s Go Direct initiative:

More than one ATM withdrawal per deposit — 90 cents per withdrawal.

“Surcharge fees” for those who don’t use in-network ATMs.

Mailed monthly paper statement — 75 cents a month.

Transfers from card accounts to personal bank accounts — $1.50.

Card replacement after one free replacement card per year — $4 per card. Expedited delivery of the replacement — $13.50.

Purchases and ATM withdrawals made outside of the United States.

Transaction fee

The change — which also applies to Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board and other federal benefits — is often conflated with the much-derided 1 percent transaction fee included in the Debt Free America Act.

The bill, by U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., remains in committee, where it has been since the measure was introduced in March.

The proposal, which Fattah has been advocating since 2004, would impose a 1 percent fee on “any transaction that uses a payment instrument, including any check, cash, credit card, transfer of stock, bonds, or other financial instrument.”

The money the government would earn from the fee would be used to eliminate the national debt and phase out the income tax, according to the bill.

• Online: www.godirect.org.

Track at McNeese underwent repairs

Why is the McNeese State University track closed to the public?

“During the season, the track is closed daily from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. when the team is practicing; otherwise it is open to the public,” Candace Townsend, university spokeswoman, wrote in an email.

“Only the track is open to public use, not the pole vault area or jumping pits.”

The track complex was closed recently so repairs could be made, she said.

• Online: www.mcneese.edu.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.

(FROM MGNONLINE)