Support payments
Questions about Using your Debit Card
Updated May 2009
- What do I need to do to start using my debit card?
- How does the debit card work?
- Do I need a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to use my debit card?
- Can the debit card be overdrawn?
- How do I use my debit card to get cash?
- Can I use my debit card and cash to pay for something that is more than I have in my card’s account?
- I need to pay my rent by check or money order. My apartment owner will not take Visa. What should I do?
What do I need to do to start using my debit card?
After receiving your card in the mail, you need to call Chase Bank
(at their toll-free number 1-866-817-0761) to select a PIN number and activate your card. Although the Trust Fund will deposit support payments into your card’s account, you cannot use your card
until you activate it. This step protects you if your mail is lost or stolen.
When you get your card, you will also get information on how to activate your card. The phone number to activate your card will be on the back of the card.
How does the debit card work?
When your support payment is received, the money is deposited into your card’s
account. You can use your debit card everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
This includes grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants. You can also use
your debit card to shop by phone and over the Internet.
To get cash, you can use your debit card at ATMs and some banks. Some stores will let you get cash back when you buy items. The amount you spend when buying items and when getting cash are automatically deducted from the funds you have in your card’s account.
Do I need a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to use my debit card?
You do not need a PIN to buy items if the store has you sign the receipt.
Some stores require a PIN instead of your signature. You need to use a PIN to
get cash at ATMs. You will choose your own PIN by calling Chase after
you receive your card.
You will get complete instructions with the card when it is mailed to you.
Can the debit card be overdrawn?
Normally you can only use up to the amount of funds you have in your card’s
account. Usually if your purchase or cash withdrawal is more than the balance in
your account, the transaction will be denied.
See the fees charged for denial of transactions.
If the purchase costs more than your balance and the transaction goes through, the overdrawn amount will be deducted from the next support payment received.
To avoid denials and overdrafts,
- Check your current card balance and recent account activity before using
your card by
- Calling the number on the back of your card (1-866-817-0761) free of charge 24 hours/day everyday
- Using Chase ATMs for unlimited free balance inquiries.
- Do not use your card at the gas pump. Instead, pay inside the gas station. Gas stations may put a hold (up to $75) on your funds whenever a debit card is used at the pump.
If you overdraw your account deliberately, Chase may contact you and/or close your account.
How do I use my debit card to get cash?
You can use your debit card at an ATM to get cash. If you use a Chase ATM or an AllPoint ATM to get cash, you will not be charged a fee. Click here for fee information when using another ATM.
You can use your debit card at some banks to get cash. Click here for fee information when using a bank to get cash.
Some stores let you get cash back if you buy an item with your debit card.
Can I use my debit card and cash to pay for something that is more than I
have in my card’s account?
Like gift cards, your debit card will be rejected if your purchase costs more
than what is left on the card. If you know your balance, you can ask the clerk
to do a “split-pay” purchase – you tell the clerk the amount you want put on
your debit card, and then you pay the rest by cash or check. For example, you
know your card balance is $20. Your groceries total $25. The store might let you
use the $20 left on your card and pay the remaining $5 in cash.
Please note: At most stores, the clerk will not be able to check the exact amount of your card balance. The card will be accepted or rejected. See the fees charged for denial of transactions.
I need to pay my rent by check or
money order. My apartment owner will not take Visa. What should I do?
If you have paid your rent with a personal check, you might want to have your support directly
deposited into your checking account.
If you paid by money order or bank check:
- You can use your debit card to buy a money order from your local post
office.
Click here for post office fees for money orders.
- You can use your debit card to get
cash from a bank or from an ATM. (See information about ATM fees
and bank fees.)
Some stores will give you cash back when you buy something with your Visa
Debit card. You can then use the cash to get a money order or bank check.
- Chase can send you a check to pay your rent and other bills by
using the money in your debit card account. Their fee for this service is
$12.50 per check.
The check will be made out to you. You can then sign the check over to your apartment owner (to a third party). You should check with your apartment owner to see if the owner will accept a third party check.
Compare fees to see which way is best for you.
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