Management of Federal Agency Disbursements

The Financial Management Service (FMS) is publishing an interim final rule amending 31 CFR part 208 (part 208) to facilitate the delivery of Federal payments to victims of disasters and emergencies. Part 208 implements the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3332, which generally requires that Federal payments be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT). Under 31 U.S.C. 3332, the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) must ensure that any individual required to receive a Federal payment by EFT have access to an account at a financial institution at a reasonable cost and with certain consumer protections. This amendment implements 31 U.S.C. 3332 by providing that the Department of the Treasury may establish and administer accounts for disaster victims in order to allow for the delivery of Federal payments by EFT. We are proceeding with this amendment in the form of an interim final rule that is effective without delay.