Financial literacy program tied into federally-backed Direct Express ACH card

People who have signed up for Direct Express, an ACH card that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, will soon have the option to improve their financial know-how. The United States Department of the Treasury has announced it will add access to PayPerks, a rewards program for card users who tap into a web and mobile financial education curriculum, to the services of Direct Express. The Treasury recommended that those who receive federal benefits, including Social Security, sign up for direct deposit into Direct Express cards, prepaid cards or bank accounts before March 1, 2013, when all federal payments are required to be sent electronically. To date, more than three million Americans have begun using a Direct Express ACH card. An estimated two-thirds of those individuals were among the underbanked populace that does not have a traditional bank account, the Treasury reported. Now, those individuals will be able to participate in a program that teaches them how to plan their finances from day one of using PayPerks through a prepaid program that was originally announced at the White House Summit on Financial Capability and Empowerment. Included in the curriculum, which is expected to be available in early 2013, will be a series of illustrated tutorials on various financial topics.