HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) and Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) to make the Workers’ Compensation system more efficient by moving more benefit payments from paper checks to direct deposit.
Senate Bill 1232 would allow individuals entitled to compensation to request funds be deposited to an account of their choosing. It will also allow insurers to no longer offer paper checks as a payment option as long as the individual has a bank account that can accept direct deposit
“More than 95% of workers receive their pay by direct deposit. Unfortunately, in the Workers’ Compensation system, many payments are still being made by paper check, leaving these payments vulnerable to delays, loss or misplacement,” Pennycuick said. “This legislation would help injured workers get their benefits in a faster, more convenient way that will also benefit insurers by reducing processing time and mailing costs.”
“We were happy to work with Senator Pennycuick in a bipartisan effort that will allow injured workers the ability to receive their payments in a manner that is much more efficient,” said Farry.
The reforms were unanimously recommended by the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council.
Senate Bill 1232 was approved by the Senate on Wednesday and will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Matt Szuchyt