Receiving child support via electronic payment card vs. check

[maryanns]

AZ
Does anyone who received child support receive it on an electronic payment card instead of receive it in check form. If so, do you like it or are there lots of fees associated with it?

 

[moburkes]

My girlfriend has it. Her only conerns are that she can only check the balance online, not be telephone, and by using the card, it doesn't guarantee that it will be loaded at that same intervals all the time. For example, if the person gets paid on Friday, the card might be loaded by Tuesday one week, but Thursday the next. With a check, you have to first, receive it in the mail, then turn around and deposit it.

 

[LdiJ]

If its actually the state that is issuing the card, there shouldn't be any extra fees associated with it, except for any normal fees that the state would assess whether you get it on a card or a check.

However, if the state has contracted it out, and you are actually getting a visa or mastercard debit card, then I have heard some bad stories about transaction fees.

 

[maryanns]

It is a Chase Visa card. I took a long look at the information that came with the card and it does look like I would get charged a bunch of fees unless I use a Chase atm and I don't even know where those are. I think I'll just keep getting the money the old fashioned way by check through the mail.

 

[moburkes]

It is a Chase Visa card. I took a long look at the information that came with the card and it does look like I would get charged a bunch of fees unless I use a Chase atm and I don't even know where those are. I think I'll just keep getting the money the old fashioned way by check through the mail.

Any debit card charges fees for cash withdrawals from another bank's ATM machines. Go to www.chase.com to see if there is a bank near you. Otherwise, simply use it as a debit card. Don't use it to get cash. Or, like you said, wait for a check in the mail.

 

[fairisfair]

Arizona no longer issues paper checks for child support for state monitored child support. ALL persons who receive support through CSE either must have it direct deposited to their own account, or use one of the new state cards.

http://www.jpmorgan.com/cm/ContentServer?c=TS_Content&pagename=jpmorgan/ts/TS_Content/General&cid=1114735789330

http://www.azdes.gov/dcse/epcfaq.asp#hd8

there ARE in fact fees attached to these cards and you will receive a pamphlet outlining those fees. They are generally the same kind of fees attached to any ATM card.

 

[maryanns]

Thank you soo much Fairs fair for telling me that. I just called family support services and you are right, there are no more paper checks. They said I received something in the mail about it but I must have tossed it thinking it was an advertisement. THANKS

 

[MrsK]

Here in LA, you can have it direct deposited or get it on a card. They charge a fee if you choose to get it on a card, but not if you use direct deposit. So I guess there are fees associated with some of the cards.

 

[GrowUp!]

Otherwise, simply use it as a debit card. Don't use it to get cash. Or, like you said, wait for a check in the mail.

Actually, she would want to use it as "credit" not debit, because the debit function is the one that punches you in the gut with fees. When you go to the grocery store or Wal-Mart, for example, and you swipe your card and you are prompted to choose either "debit" or "credit", it's best to use "credit" because the debit is considered a cash withdrawal from a non-Chase (or bank) ATM. I learned this the hard way many years ago when I got a statement when I saw almost 20 bucks in fees for one month. Many people are still confused by this (as I had to explain this to someone the other day when I was in line.)

 

[moburkes]

Actually, she would want to use it as "credit" not debit, because the debit function is the one that punches you in the gut with fees. When you go to the grocery store or Wal-Mart, for example, and you swipe your card and you are prompted to choose either "debit" or "credit", it's best to use "credit" because the debit is considered a cash withdrawal from a non-Chase (or bank) ATM. I learned this the hard way many years ago when I got a statement when I saw almost 20 bucks in fees for one month. Many people are still confused by this (as I had to explain this to someone the other day when I was in line.)

You're correct, in most cases. My particular bank, for example, doesn't charge to use it as a debit, but most do. My distinction was actually only trying to say that you don't have to worry about withdrawal fees if you use the card as a debit/credit card vs. withdrawing money from the ATM, but thanks for the clarification in case I confused the OP. If she needs cash, she can get cash from her OWN bank account, instead of trying to get cash from the child support money.