topic Re: Gov. debit cards in Community Chat

Gov. debit cards

SharkE — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:32:59 GMT

How do these work ? I haven't got my stimulus yet, this one is coming by check they said. Hopefully, paper check I can take to bank, but, if it comes by debit card how do you use them ?

In person at store ? can you use on stuff U want to buy like from QVC, etc. ? I know nothing about debit cards.

Don't know why they're even sending me a check, first check went into bank account. Now, I have to watch for it.

Re: Gov. debit cards

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:48:22 GMT

@SharkE Most likely you can take the card to your local bank and they can switch the funds from the card to your bank account (in person). I once got about 2 weeks worth of state disability pay, and they sent me a card too and that is what I did.

If you get the card and deplete the funds, be sure to keep the card, because if there is more money coming in the future, they may just add the amount to your existing card and I was told the card is "active" for several years.

Sounds to me like it's an added expense for the government, but perhaps you have to create an account in order to use it based on your own information, so it could be harder for people to steal your funds (instead of just stealing your mail and cashing the check).

Re: Gov. debit cards

depglass — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:48:47 GMT

I use a traditional bank issued debit card for everything. It works just like a credit card. For groceries or retail you have to have a four digit numerical pin that you choose during card set up on the phone. If gov is different I'm sure someone will chime in.

Re: Gov. debit cards

catter70 — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:54:33 GMT

@SharkE , there's something about this on Microsoft News, if you get that, though it didn't really say much. I understood it to say if your bank account wasn't valid as of 12/20/20, then a check would be sent instead of direct deposit. I'm sure you would know if your bank account was valid or not, so probably a moot point for you. Anyhow, check it out.

Re: Gov. debit cards

KingstonsMom — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:00:45 GMT

Our latest stimulus check was deposited in our checking account, just like the first check, the same account that our tax refunds get deposited in.

Re: Gov. debit cards

fthunt — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:27:40 GMT

@SharkE Keep your powder dry...........haven't seen mine either.

Debit Card.........use mine often for purchases; but for this Govt thing I would take card to bank and let the $$ roll over to my checking account.

Re: Gov. debit cards

CelticCrafter — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:37:33 GMT

You can take it to your bank and have them deposit the full amount into one of your accounts that you have with them.

Re: Gov. debit cards

SunValley — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:41:47 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
You can take it to your bank and have them deposit the full amount into one of your accounts that you have with them.

I did this yesterday. There was no fee.

Re: Gov. debit cards

ceekay — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:46:12 GMT

@SharkE - if you have online access to your bank accounts (and I know many people do not), you can just transfer the $$ from the debit card to your chosen bank account. My mom got one of those cards the first time and had no idea what it was. We just converted it over to her bank account without having to go to the bank (which were all locked down at that time anyhow and even now, you have to make an appointment for a lobby visit). Anyhow, you seem to be getting good suggestions here.

Re: Gov. debit cards

mspatmac — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:49:10 GMT

I got the debit card last year and transferred into checking account on line. Didn't need to go to bank. Followed info tht came with card

Re: Gov. debit cards

SeaMaiden — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 17:31:19 GMT

@SharkE wrote:
How do these work ? I haven't got my stimulus yet, this one is coming by check they said. Hopefully, paper check I can take to bank, but, if it comes by debit card how do you use them ?

In person at store ? can you use on stuff U want to buy like from QVC, etc. ? I know nothing about debit cards.

Don't know why they're even sending me a check, first check went into bank account. Now, I have to watch for it.

@SharkE last time many people said they took it to their bank and were able to deposit it into their account. You might check with your bank

Re: Gov. debit cards

SharkE — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 18:05:45 GMT

ok thanks all for telling me. I had no idea.

I just wanted it to go to bank deposit, take out the 600 cash.

they said it was sent Wed. maybe whatever form it's coming in

will be a check. We don't get our mail till after 2 , so, I'll have to be perched in my window seat and watching for them. LOL

Re: Gov. debit cards

software — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 19:16:33 GMT

Looks like all good advice here, including what @CAcableGirl2 mentioned, keep the card including any PIN number created. With the government, you just never know.

Re: Gov. debit cards

songbird — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 19:38:00 GMT

There was a huge mass mailing on January 6. This one is either checks or debit cards (last time we got debit cards) You should get sometime end of this coming week or the beginning of the following week.. The IRS Porthole is running. Just google IRS get my payments. You'll find out which one of the mailings your is. Watch your envelopes for the return address. It won't say IRS. Last time ours said cardservices (the debit card was in it)

If you get a debit card, you don't have go to the bank. You can transfer it online. My husband did last time.

Re: Gov. debit cards

SharkE — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 19:44:36 GMT

yeah, lot easier to get on since most people have done got theirs.

Think they all have to be sent out by 1-15-2021

Re: Gov. debit cards

jackthebear — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 20:14:52 GMT

there was a discussion about this when the first checks came out, try a search for it.

I remember something about being able to xfer the money to your bank account.

we all got checks, interestingly they could only be cashed in person, not mobile

Re: Gov. debit cards

Kitty Galore — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 00:53:53 GMT

where is it you can go to find out when your check is going out? Went to the site mentioned here and you have to supply your SS # . I don't put my social out there especially not online.

Re: Gov. debit cards

jannabelle1 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 01:08:57 GMT

I've seen nothing at all on the government website to indicate that people might receive a debit card for their stimulus funds. DH and I inadvertantly closed one of our checking accounts that we rarely used, and of course that was the one that we had used in the past for tax refunds and was used by the IRS for our first stimulus check. It didn't occur to either one of us. In researching what's next, the website indicates that if the checking account is now closed, your bank will not accept the direct deposit, and a paper check will be issued instead.

Re: Gov. debit cards

SharkE — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 01:55:01 GMT

@Kitty Galore wrote:
where is it you can go to find out when your check is going out? Went to the site mentioned here and you have to supply your SS # . I don't put my social out there especially not online.

they can't know who you are without that #. I delete history before I go in and when I leave don't know if that does any good or not, but makes me feel better. LOL get rid of cookies and history.

Re: Gov. debit cards

NickNack — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 02:02:15 GMT

@Kitty Galore wrote:
where is it you can go to find out when your check is going out? Went to the site mentioned here and you have to supply your SS # . I don't put my social out there especially not online.

@Kitty Galore You have to put your social security # in to identify yourself. They don't show it as you put it in. It's hidden, but they have to have that.