Nebraska health officials say the use of electronic payments has saved the agency time and money.

The state Department of Health and Human Services says the number of checks issued since switching to electronic payments last year has dropped by 93 percent. The agency had been writing as many as 34,000 checks a month.

DHHS says the switch to electronic deposit has saved on postage costs as well as eliminated returned mail costs. Staff also has cut the time they spend updating clients’ mailing addresses.

The agency says all child care providers will soon submit claims electronically and be paid electronically. An employment program will later make the switch.