Notice to Financial Institutions Processing Federal Government Automated Clearing House and U.S. Treasury Check Payments
October 30, 2023
Due to plans to implement some technology upgrades to Treasury’s post payment processing systems, U.S. Treasury Check and Automated Clearing House (ACH) reclamation notices and debits and non-receipt forms will be paused beginning December 1, 2023. This pause is expected to last until December 7, 2023 (approximately five business days).
U.S. Treasury Checks Disbursement:
U.S. Treasury checks will continue to be disbursed during this period. Financial institutions should continue to process using their normal procedures.
US Treasury Check Adjustments and Returns:
U.S. Treasury check returns and adjustments will be impacted, and some delays may occur during this pause. Image Cash Letter (ICL) presented to Treasury will be processed in date order. Adjustments and returns will resume once Treasury’s post payment processing systems are upgraded.
U.S. Treasury Check Reclamations:
Check reclamation notices generated and delivered during this time via the U.S. mail or FedLine® will be paused. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service) will continue the processing of all check reclamation debits on the 31st day and debits voluntarily requested by the Receiving Depository Financial Institutions (RDFI).
Treasury Check Verification System (TCVS):
TCVS will remain operational.
ACH Reclamations:
ACH reclamation notices generated and delivered during this period via the U.S. mail or FedLine will be paused. Fiscal Service will continue the process of debiting a RDFI Federal Reserve Bank master account when a RDFI does not respond to an ACH reclamation notice within 60 days either through Pay.gov or cashier’s check by U.S. mail.
ACH Non-Receipts:
Delivery of new ACH non-receipt forms will also be paused. Fiscal Service will continue to work pending forms.
Additional Guidance:
We want to emphasize that financial institutions should continue to process and respond to the U.S. Treasury check and ACH reclamation and non-receipt forms during this period to avoid any timing issues with pending reclamation notices.
We recognize that this creates operational impacts for your financial institution and thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this time. We will notify financial institutions when normal processing resumes.
This communication was sent by the Federal Reserve Banks on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. “FedLine” is a service mark of the Federal Reserve Banks. A list of marks related to financial services products that are offered to financial institutions by the Federal Reserve Banks is available at FRBservices.org®.