(AP) NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development said all unemployed workers will start receiving their benefits electronically at an undetermined date in the future.
For now, the department has just announced two new electronic options for receiving benefits - debit cards and direct deposit.
Debit card and direct deposit will be offered to newly unemployed workers as they apply for unemployment benefits.
Claimants currently receiving benefits by mail can also enroll for debit cards or direct deposit payments online at https://ui.tn.gov.
Last year, the state issued nearly 8 million unemployment checks, and it is projected electronic payments will save the state approximately $3.2 million annually in postage and paper costs.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
