(RALEIGH) -- Some people are still getting federal benefits by mail. Walt Henderson with the US Treasury says 130 million benefit recipients still get paper checks at a cost of $120 million a year.

He says electronic transfers are much better. "Your funds are posted on the payment page and they're available in your account or your Direct Express card at the opening of business each morning, so there is no waiting for a check to arrive and then making a trip to the bank to cash or deposit the check," he said.

Henderson adds that it doesn't matter if you don't have a bank account. It's possible to get a Direct Express card that works just like a debit card if that's the case.