CARSON CITY, Nev. — Beginning in December, Nevadans receivingunemployment benefits will get their weekly money on a debit cardrather than a paper check, the state has announced.

Nevada's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitationis converting the system saying it will not only save the statemoney but improve service to the recipients.

In the existing system, the state prints and mails 800,000checks to more than 120,000 recipients every year, the Departmentsaid. Program administrators have said in media reports that thestate will save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

Further, it will not be necessary to have a bank account to usethe debit card, and those who don't have a bank account will nolonger have to pay fees to cash their checks.

Those receiving benefits will be able to access their moneythrough ATM machines statewide and, in fact, nationwide. They canmake two free withdrawals per month from any ATM and use the debitcard at all merchants who accept credit cards and unlimited cashback from a teller at any bank displaying a Visa logo.

The division has already begun mailing recipients notificationsexplaining the program, including how to opt out for those whowould prefer to continue receiving paper checks.