You May Be Able To Use Your Prepaid Debit Card To Pay Your Rent
More stimulus payments will hit peoples bank accounts on March 24, while other taxpayers will soon receive checks and prepaid debit cards in their mailboxes.
This money, a financial lifeline for many families, represents the third round of economic relief tied to the coronavirus pandemic. The American Rescue Plan provides payments ofup to $1,400 for eligible individuals and $2,800 for couples filing a joint federal return. Eligible taxpayers meeting the income thresholds will receive an additional $1,400 for dependents. These payments are technically an advance payment of a 2021 tax credit.
The IRS is sending most payments by direct deposit because it is the easiest and fastest way to get this money to tens of millions of Americans. When that isnt possible, the agency is mailing checks and prepaid debit cards.
About 20 million paper checks and debit cards are expected to start arriving soon, but the delivery could run into nationwide mail delays at the U.S. Postal Service.
Here are some answers to questions you may have about the delivery of stimulus payments by check or debit card.
How Do I Use My Card To Get Cash Without Paying A Fee
There are several ways to get cash from your card without paying a fee.
- Use one of the In-Network AllPoint brand ATMs to withdraw cash. Use the ATM locator at EIPCard.com or Money Network® Mobile App to locate one near you. Limits may apply to the amount of cash you are able to withdraw at ATMs.
- Get cash-back at participating merchants, like grocery and convenience stores. If the merchant allows cash-back during a purchase, select Debit on the keypad, enter your 4-digit PIN, select Yes to get cash-back, and then enter the amount of cash you would like. Check the merchants policies on amount limits.
- Request a Money Network Check and cash it at select participating check cashing locations. Go to EIPCard.com to find the nearest participating check cashing locations. To avoid a fee, cash only Money Network Checks and only at participating check cashing locations. Limits may apply.
Tip: If you already have a bank or credit union account that you are comfortable using to access cash for free, you can also transfer money from your card to this personal account and then withdraw cash in the same way you normally would once it is available.
Comparison Table Between Stimulus Check And Debit Card
| Parameters of comparison | ||
| Stimulus Check came into existence in March 2020 | A debit card has been in use for many years, even before the Pandemic. | |
| Purpose | The main purpose of the Stimulus check is to protect the marginalized and vulnerable people facing economic hardships due to pandemic. | The main purpose of a debit card is to purchase goods and services via the money available in the cardholders bank account. |
| Amount | The provision of amount via Stimulus check is fixed according to different stages of eligibility criteria. | The amount of money spent by an individual via debit card is not fixed, the cardholder can spend as much money as he wants that is available in his account adhering to a daily limit of debit cards. |
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How Much Money Will Be On My Eip Card
It depends on how much you earn. The Economic Impact Payments are worth up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for couples, plus $500 for eligible dependents. If you earn more than $75,000 as an individual or $150,000 as a couple, the total amount you’re eligible to receive starts to decrease. And if you earn $99,000 or more as an individual or $198,000 as a couple, you aren’t eligible to receive a stimulus payment.
To determine the amount you will receive, the government will look at your 2019 tax returns if you already filed and 2018 information if you didn’t yet file.
You can check your card balance online or by calling customer service at 1–240-8100.
Use this stimulus check calculator to figure out exactly how much money you should be receiving from the government and make sure it aligns with your balance. If it doesn’t, call customer service.
What Is A Debit Card
In layman terms, a debit card is a type of payment card, when used deduct money from the account directly. There is the various purpose of usage of debit cards like they can be used to get cash or buy services and goods. The cash can be retrieved from an ATM or a merchant.
A debit card resembles any charge card and usually comes in a rectangular plastic piece. This card has its prior linkage with the bank account of the union of Credit. The debit has its limit, only the amount of money available in the account can be deducted via debit card.
A debit card has several limits, unlike credit cards. These have daily purchase limits as well. For example, if the daily withdrawal limit or transaction limit is $400 then you can not spend more than $400 in a day via debit card. Some debit cards can be even used with or without the involvement of a PIN.
Whatever amount is spend via debit card corresponds with the amount available in the checkings bank account.
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Be Careful Of Scammers
Naturally, wherever there is money involved, there are usually scammers trying to take it from you. To avoid losing your stimulus payment remember:
- The EIP card will come with instructions telling you how to activate it. You can visit the EIP card website as well for instructions.
- Be very careful that you call the correct phone number. Dont search the Internet for the number. Scammers sometimes set up fake customer service numbers to deceive people and take their personal information.
- Never give your personal identification number , EIP debit card number or Social Security number to anyone who calls or texts you.
- Check your mail carefully to avoid tossing your EIP card out with your junk mail.
If youve destroyed or thrown out your EIP card, it is important that you call the toll-free customer service line at 800-240-8100 to ask for a replacement. Youll need to select the option lost or stolen.
You can find additional information at the official EIP Card website.
The govt will not call/text/email/DM you to ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer: #stimuluschecks#EIP
You Can Visit Any Bank Or Credit Union Branch To Withdraw Cash But Fees May Apply To Withdraw Cash:
Bank/Teller Over-the-Counter Withdrawal Limits Apply: $2,500 per transaction and per day . Please see your Cardholder Agreement online at EIPCard.com for more information.
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Can I Use My Eip Card To Pay Recurring Bills
If you have sufficient funds remaining on your card, you can use it to make recurring bill payments. If you don’t have enough money on your card, your payment may be declined.
You can also use your card to pay rent or make a mortgage payment if your landlord or mortgage company accepts Visa debit card payments.
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I Am Not Familiar With Prepaid Debit Cards What Is Important To Know About Using This Card
The Economic Impact Payment Card is a VISA prepaid debit card. The government has loaded your Economic Impact Payment onto the card for you. You do not need to pay this money back and you will not be taxed on this money. Once activated, your money is safe on this card and is eligible for FDIC insurance. Be sure to immediately report if your card is lost or stolen.
If you have had a checking account debit card or credit card before, this card may be a little different. First, this card is not linked to any bank or credit union account and will not have any impact on your credit score or help you build your credit. You cannot overdraft or spend more than what has been loaded on the card. If you dont have enough money to cover a purchase, the transaction may be declined or partially authorized. If this happens, you may be asked to use another form of payment to pay the full or remaining amount if you want to complete the transaction.
You can get cash, request a check, or make a purchase anywhere VISA debit cards are accepted. Each time you use your card, the amount will be deducted from your balance until you use all your funds. You will not be able to load your own money on this card and your money will not expire. If you do not use all your money before the expiration date printed on the card, you can call customer service to request a refund check for the remaining balance.
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Bank Of America Ceo Confident On Economy As Consumers Spend At Highest Rate He’s Ever Seenyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
He said debit and credit card spending for Thanksgiving … as well as government support through stimulus, has allowed economies to reopen and consumers to keep their balance sheets healthy.
Newsweek
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How To Use Your Economic Impact Payment Prepaid Debit Card Without Paying A Fee
This blog was originally posted on May 20, 2020 and was updated on June 1, 2020.
If you recently received an Economic Impact Payment prepaid debit card from the government in the mail, this is money for you under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Do not throw this card away. You will need this card to access your Economic Impact Payment. You must first activate your card by phone before you can use it. Once activated, your money is safe and secure on the card. Be sure to immediately report if your card is lost or stolen.
Here are some common questions and tips to help you access your money and use your card, including how to do so with limited fees. While most transactions are free, small fees can add up, so know how you can make the most of your money.
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Frequently Asked Questions Continually Updated On Irsgov
The IRS has two sets of frequently asked questions to help Americans get answers about their Economic Impact Payments, including those arriving on prepaid debit card. These FAQs include answers to eligibility and other many common questions, including help to use two Economic Impact Payment tools.
Get My Payment, an IRS online tool, shows the projected date when a direct deposit has been scheduled or date when the payment will be mailed by check or prepaid debit card. The Non-Filers Enter Payment Info Here tool helps taxpayers successfully submit basic information to receive Economic Impact Payments quickly.
The IRS regularly updates the Economic Impact Payment and the Get My Payment frequently asked questions pages on IRS.gov as more information becomes available. Taxpayers should check the FAQs often for the latest additions.
Economic Impact Payments Being Sent By Prepaid Debit Cards Arrive In Plain Envelope Irsgov Answers Frequently Asked Questions
IR-2020-105, May 27, 2020
WASHINGTON As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that some payments are being sent by prepaid debit card. The debit cards arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”
Nearly 4 million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination of which taxpayers received a debit card was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, a part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments.
Those who receive their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card can do the following without any fees.
- Make purchases online and at any retail location where Visa is accepted
- Get cash from in-network ATMs
- Transfer funds to their personal bank account
- Check their card balance online, by mobile app or by phone
This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protection against fraud, loss and other errors.
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How Do I Activate My Card
Before you can access your Economic Impact Payment, you will first need to activate your card, either online or by phone. You will receive only one card for your household and the primary cardholder must activate the card.
If you are the primary cardholder:
- Provide your name, address, and social security number to validate your identity
- Create a 4-digit PIN so you can get cash at the ATM. If you forget your PIN, you can call customer service to get a new one
- Check the balance to know how much you received
Once you activate your card, you can start using your card immediately. There is no monthly or inactivity fee and your money does not expire. You do not need to pay this money back and do not have to pay taxes on this money.
Watch Out For Scams Related To Economic Impact Payments
The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. To use the new app or get information, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov. People should watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.
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The Irs Is Sending Some Second Stimulus Check Payments On Prepaid Debit Cards We’ve Got Answers To Important Questions About These Eip Cards
You might be one of the approximately 8 million Americans who finds a debit card in their mailbox soon. If so, don’t automatically think it’s some sort of scam or junk mail. It might be the second stimulus check payment you’ve been waiting for just in the form of a prepaid debit card. The cards called Economic Impact Payment Cards, or EIP Cards, by the IRS will go to certain people who don’t have bank information on file with the tax agency. Instead of mailing a paper check , the cards will be sent to the most recent mailing address on file with the IRS for those selected to receive them. EIP Cards are going to eligible recipients across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but Americans in the western part of the country are generally more likely to get one.
If you do receive an EIP Card, you’ll probably have a lot of questions about how it works. How do I use it? Where can I use it? Are there any fees? Can the IRS track my purchases? The cards come with some nice features, but there are also some special rules for their use. So you can hit the ground running if an EIP Card shows up in your mailbox, here are answers to a few important questions you’re likely to have about your second stimulus payment debit card. And make sure you put the money to good use!
Question: Do I have to activate my EIP Card?
You’ll also be asked to create a 4-digit PIN number.
People Are Throwing Away Stimulus Check Debit Cards
As if waiting for a stimulus check to arrive wasn’t frustrating enough, now it turns out some people are throwing their $600 away.
Jim Wallace almost tossed a letter he received in the mail the other day.
“I received a white envelope, with clear plastic on the top left corner and in the middle,” Wallace said.
Nowhere was a U.S. Treasury or IRS return address in Washington, DC, that would have indicated a stimulus payment.
“There was this address here with a little seal, and it didn’t look like U.S. government mail. It looked like junk mail,” Wallace said.
No indication it contained $600 payment
He was more confused when he opened it.
“There was a card inside,” Wallace said.
A note with the card said Economic Impact Payment, which Wallace said assumed meant his stimulus. But nowhere did it say $600, so he still wasn’t sure.
“It did not look like an official IRS letter,” he said. “It did not. We almost tossed it aside. We almost threw it away.”
The IRS now acknowledges that some people are tossing the cards in the trash, or cutting them up, assuming they are an attempt to get them to sign up for something.
It is now issuing an alert to watch for the cards in the mail, as it is your real stimulus check, just not in the form of a check.
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