PA Treasurer McCord: Certain Priority Payments Sent in Advance of Hurricane Sandy May Arrive Early; Verify Printed Pay Date First

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Because of accelerated payment and mail schedules, State Treasurer Rob McCord today advised those who will receive benefit payments this week from the Public School Employees Retirement System, the State Employees Retirement System, and the State Supplementary Payment Program to first verify the date on those checks before attempting to deposit or cash those payments.

Treasury adjusted its planning and mailing schedules in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, said Treasurer McCord, in order to avoid a delay in the arrival of certain priority payments. As a result, checks sent yesterday may be in the hands of recipients prior to the pay date printed on those payments.

"We did not want to have payments delayed because of this storm, so Treasury's team tracked the hurricane's progress closely," said Treasurer McCord. "Given yesterday's conditions, these steps enabled us to mail payments early before Hurricane Sandy affected electricity service or the postal system.

"Because some of these payments may be a day or two ahead of schedule, there's a slight chance checks will arrive in mailboxes before the date printed on them. Banks and other check cashing services will not execute those transactions before the printed date, so recipients should be mindful of this."

Treasurer McCord added Treasury's personnel continue to work with state agencies to process other priority payments expected this week – such as worker's insurance and unemployment compensation checks – in a timely fashion.

"As effects of the storm continue to unfold, we will update the public on our work and on any impact Sandy may have upon our operations," said Treasurer McCord.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, visit www.patreasury.gov.

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