R45

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High-Priority Return Code

This ACH return code only applies to Automated Enrollment Entry (ENR) transactions for federal benefits paid via direct deposit. R45 occurs when the individual or company name associated with government benefit payments doesn't match the corresponding name in the Federal Government Agency's records, or when the name fails to include at least one alphanumeric character.

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Error message: "The name of the consumer or company provided in field 3 of the addenda record either doesn't match a corresponding name in the Federal Government Agency's records or fails to include at least one alphanumeric character."

The R45 ACH return code means "Invalid Individual Name/Company Name" and indicates that the name associated with an Automated Enrollment Entry (ENR) for federal benefits either doesn't match the name stored in the government agency's records or lacks proper formatting. 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 names that correspond exactly with the federal agency's beneficiary records and must include at least one alphanumeric character to meet processing standards. When names contain typographical errors, don't match the agency's database exactly, or fail to meet formatting requirements, the receiving financial institution returns the payment with an R45 code. This serves as an important verification measure to ensure federal benefit payments reach properly identified recipients and prevent fraud or misdirection.

Can You Retry R45 Payments?

You cannot retry R45 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 individual or company name in their beneficiary records system, ensuring it matches exactly and meets formatting requirements before resubmitting the ENR entry.

Common Causes

Individual or company name doesn't match federal agency beneficiary records

Typographical errors in name entry for government benefit payments

Name lacks required alphanumeric character formatting

Legal name changes not updated in federal agency systems

Human error during benefit enrollment or payment processing setup

Key Information

Return timeframe: No clearly defined timeline

Only applies to federal benefit ENR transactions

Cannot be resolved by merchants or businesses

Requires government agency verification and correction

Names must match exactly with federal agency records and include alphanumeric characters

How to Respond to an R45 Code

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An R45 return requires coordination with the federal government agency that processes the benefit payment, as only they have access to verify and correct individual or company names in their beneficiary systems.

When Your Customer's Payment Fails

Confirm ENR 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 name mismatch.
Provide Return Documentation
Give the customer the R45 return code information and explain that their name information needs verification and possible correction with the agency.
Avoid Reprocessing
Do not attempt to retry or correct the payment, as only the government agency can resolve name discrepancies in ENR entries.

Email Template

Subject: Federal Benefit Payment Error - Name Verification Required

Hi [Customer Name],

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We received notification that a federal benefit payment to your account was returned due to an invalid individual or company name (R45). This appears to be related to how your name information is stored in the government agency's beneficiary records.

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To resolve this issue, you'll need to contact the federal agency that processes your benefits (such as Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, etc.) and inform them of the R45 return code. They will need to verify and update your name information to match their records exactly.

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This type of error can only be corrected by the government agency that originates the payment. We're unable to resolve ENR-related returns on our end, but we're here to assist with any questions about your account.

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Best regards,

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[Your Company Name]

When Your Payment to Vendors Fails

An R45 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 name verification issues in federal payment processing.