What Causes ACH Return Code R42?

The R42 ACH return code means "Routing Number/Check Digit Error" and indicates that there is an error in the routing number or check digit within an Automated Enrollment Entry (ENR) for federal benefits. This return code exclusively applies to government benefit payments distributed through direct deposit, such as Social Security, Veterans Affairs, or other federal agency payments.

ENR transactions require precise routing number formatting and valid check digits to ensure proper processing through the ACH network. When these routing numbers contain typographical errors, incorrect digit sequences, or invalid check digits that don't conform to proper banking format standards, the receiving financial institution returns the payment with an R42 code. This serves as a protective measure to prevent misdirected government benefit payments due to banking information errors.

Can You Retry R42 Payments?

You cannot retry R42 payments as a merchant or business owner. This return code can only be resolved by the originating federal government agency that issued the benefit payment. The agency must verify and correct the routing number and check digit information in their system before resubmitting the ENR entry with accurate banking details.

How to Respond to an R42 Code

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An R42 return requires coordination with the federal government agency that processes the benefit payment, as only they have access to correct routing number and check digit errors in ENR systems.

When Your Customer's Payment Fails

• Confirm Transaction Type
  Verify this relates to a federal benefit payment (Social Security, VA, etc.) rather than a regular business transaction.
• Direct Customer to Government Agency
  Instruct the customer to contact the specific federal agency that processes their benefits to report the routing error.
• Provide Return Documentation
  Give the customer the R42 return code information to reference when contacting the agency.
• Avoid Reprocessing
  Do not attempt to retry or correct the payment, as only the government agency can fix routing number errors in ENR entries.

When Your Payment to Vendors Fails

An R42 return on vendor payments is extremely unlikely unless you're processing payments related to federal benefit administration or working directly with government agencies on ENR transactions. If you encounter this return, it indicates routing number errors in federal payment processing.

1. Contact the government agency or federal office handling the ENR transaction
2. Provide them with the R42 return code and transaction details
3. Allow the agency to verify and correct their routing number information
4. Wait for the agency to reprocess the payment with accurate banking details