Bill Pay Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I have insufficient funds – can I "bounce" a bill payment?
You cannot “bounce” a bill payment. Our bill pay processor will send your payment on the "Process Date" that you specify.
You cannot “bounce” a bill payment. Our bill pay processor will send your payment on the "Process Date" that you specify. Funds for the payment will be debited from your Checking Account up to two days after the "Process Date." If a “non-sufficient funds” (NSF) condition exists, the bill payment processor will not be able to debit your Direct Federal Checking Account and will be informed of the NSF condition. If this occurs, the system will block your bill payment account for five days, preventing you from scheduling bill payments.
Any future dated payments (single or repeating) scheduled for release during the time the account is blocked will not be sent. Those pending payments that were not paid while your account was blocked will appear with a status of "In Process" on the Payment History screen. You will need to reschedule those payments, once the NSF condition is resolved and your account is unblocked. NOTE: YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY NON-SUFFICIENT FUNDS FEES.
Can I pay bills from my Savings or Money Market Account?
No. I accordance with federal regulations, these accounts are classified as a non-transactional accounts and cannot be used by the Bill Pay service.
No. In accordance with federal regulations, these accounts are classified as a non-transactional accounts and cannot be used by the Bill Pay service.
Which accounts are eligible for using Bill Pay?
You may only have funds withdrawn from your Direct Federal Checking Account.
You may only have funds withdrawn from your Direct Federal Checking Account.
How do I set up a Bill Payment?
To set up a bill payment, you must select a payee, enter an amount to be paid and specify a "Process Date” or the day in which the funds are sent to the Payee.
To set up a bill payment, you must select a payee, enter an amount to be paid and specify a "Process Date” or the day in which the funds are sent to the Payee. NOTE: When selecting a “Process Date,” select a Process Date at least 5 business days before the bill's "due date" for check payments (non-electronic payments) and 3 business days before the bill's "due date" for ACH payments (electronic payments).
How can I tell if my payment is being made via ACH or check?
Click on Payee Maintenance and find your Payee.
Click on Payee Maintenance and find your Payee. Under "Type," you'll either see that your payment is Electronic ACH (3 business days) or Check (5 business days).
How do I get check copies for processed payments?
Obtain copies of checks by calling Direct Federal at 781.455.6500.
Obtain copies of checks by calling Direct Federal at 781.455.6500. Check copies are only available for "manual" (non-electronic/ACH) payments.
Can I change or delete a payment that is already entered?
You can change or delete any pending payment that is listed on the Pending Payments screen.
You can change or delete any pending payment that is listed on the Pending Payments screen. Once a payment is processed, it will be listed on the Payment History screen and cannot be changed.
How do I place a stop payment on a bill payment?
If payments are sent via ACH, they cannot be stopped once they have been withdrawn from your account.
If payments are sent via ACH, they cannot be stopped once they have been withdrawn from your account. However, if payments are sent via check, they can be stopped (as long as the payee has not yet cashed the check) by contacting Direct Federal at 781.455.6500.
The mailing address for one of my payees has changed and I didn't change it. Why?
Metavante, the vendor contracted to provide bill payment services for our members, routinely reviews payees entered into the Bill Pay system and whenever possible, will change the payment method from "Check" to "ACH" (electronic).
Metavante, the vendor contracted to provide bill payment services for our members, routinely reviews payees entered into the Bill Pay system and whenever possible, will change the payment method from "Check" to "ACH" (electronic). This sometimes requires them to change the address of your payee to send your payment electronically, the fastest way possible.
