The U.S. Treasury wants Hawaii residents to transition quickly to electronic benefit payments.

Hawaii seniors and other federal benefit recipients still are receiving nearly 17,000 paper checks each month, according to the Treasury, which notes that only five months remain until the March 1, 2013 transition to all-electric  payments.

Recipients can opt for direct-deposit into a financial institution, or the Treasury-recommended Direct Express Debit Master Card.

More than 247,000 monthly benefits are deposited directly to Hawaii recipients’ bank or credit union accounts or to the debit card, which is FDIC-insured.

Check recipients are encouraged to sign up to receive benefits electronically by calling 1-800-333-1795, going online to www.GoDirect.org, or going in-person to the office of the federal agency from which they receive benefits.

Individuals will need their Social Security number or claim number, a 12-digit federal benefit check number and the amount of their most recent federal benefit check. If choosing direct deposit, a recipient also will need their financial institution’s routing transit number, account number, and account type.

Sign-up for electronic benefit receipt is free.