How do I get a Government Payment Card?

Individuals who are eligible for government disbursement benefits, such as Unemployment Insurance, Child Support and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, will usually receive a Government Payment Card in the mail.

Find out if you are eligible for government benefits and learn how to apply by visiting the U.S. Government website.

Find out how to file for unemployment on the U.S. Government website or visit your state’s unemployment site.

What is the difference between a Government Payment card and a traditional debit card?

Unlike a bank debit card, your Government Payment card is not linked to a checking account. Instead, the card arrives loaded with funds from the government and, depending on the type of card, may be reloaded by the government in the future. Each purchase you make is deducted from that balance.

What is the difference between a Government Payment card and a traditional credit card?

Your Visa Debit card is typically connected to a traditional checking account with your bank. A Visa Prepaid card is another type of account with a stored value balance. Prepaid cards can be unregistered gift cards or registered reloadable prepaid cards being used to make and receive payments ongoing. Only debit cards connected to a checking account or registered reloadable prepaid cards can receive payments.

Is this card linked to a bank account?

No, the Government Payment card and the funds loaded onto it are separate from any bank account you may have.

Do I need a bank account to use my card?

No, unlike a traditional debit account, you do not need a bank account to use your card.

Will using this card impact my credit score?

No, this is not a credit card and lawful use of a prepaid card will not affect your credit score.

Am I able to order an additional card for a family member?

Only one card is provided in the name of the beneficiary/beneficiaries and additional cards are typically not available for family members. Contact your card provider for more details.

How do I close my account?

You do not need to proactively close your account as your benefit payments will automatically cease after your qualifying period has ended. You may also dispose of your card after the expiration date.

Do I need to activate my Government Payment Card before I can use it?

Yes, you should have received activation information in the mailer that was s ent with your card. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card and talk with a customer service representative to activate your account. During activation, you may be asked to validate your identity by providing your name, address and social security number. You will also be asked to create a 4-digit PIN. Only the primary cardholder may activate the card.

How do I get my PIN?

When you first activate your card, your provider will ask you to set up a 4-digit PIN. If you forget your PIN, please call the customer service number on the back of your card to recover or reset it.



How do I know if my money has been loaded to my card?


You can check your balance at any time on the card provider’s website or via the customer service number listed on the back of your card. Also check with your card provider since some enable text alerts when funds are loaded to your card.

How can I learn about my transactions and balance?

You can see your current balance and transactions, including purchases and funds added to your account, on your provider’s website or mobile app (if applicable). You can also call your provider’s customer service number to hear this information. Your transactions and balance details are private and can only be accessed by you. Please reference your cardholder agreement or look at the back of your card for your card provider’s website and customer service phone number.

How do I get the routing and account numbers?

Contact the customer service number listed on the back of your card or visit your card provider’s website for information about your routing and account number.

How can I use my Government Payment Card?

Your card is a quick, easy, and secure way to receive your government payments. You can use it to pay for purchases online, in-person, or over the phone 24/7, everywhere Visa® Debit cards are accepted. You can also use it to pay many bills, get cash back at participating merchants or withdraw cash at an ATM or bank (check your cardholder agreement or your card provider’s website for a list of associated fees).³

How can I get cash using my card?³

There are multiple ways you can access cash using your card:

• Cash-back participating merchants: One way to get cash back with your card is at checkout in the places you already shop, like grocery and convenience stores.
  1. Select “Debit” on the keypad
  2. Enter your 4-digit PIN
  3. Select “Yes” for cash-back
  4. Enter the amount and hit “OK”
• Cash from an ATM: There’s no fee to withdraw cash at in-network ATMs but fees may apply if you use an out-of-network ATM.³ To pull out cash:
  1. Enter your 4-digit PIN
  2. Select “Withdrawal” from “Checking”
• Cash from a bank or credit union teller: You can visit any bank or credit union branch to withdraw cash, but fees may apply.³
  To withdraw cash:
  1. Know your balance beforehand. The teller cannot tell how much money you have on your card
  2. Ask the teller for the amount you would like to withdraw
  3. You’ll need your 4-digit PIN and may be asked for an additional form of ID

Are there any restrictions on card use at certain merchants?

Your government payment card can be used at any merchant that accepts Visa Debit.

Can I transfer the funds from my card to my bank account?

Most government payment cards enable you to easily transfer the funds from your card to an existing bank account using your routing information. Please check with your card provider to ensure this feature is enabled.

Can I add my government card to a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app to send funds to another person?

Yes, most peer-to-peer apps (like Square Cash, Venmo or Zelle) will accept your Government Payment Card as a source of funding and allow you to send funds to others. However, you cannot receive or add funds to your card. Check with the P2P provider for specific instructions.

Can I add my card to a mobile wallet?

Maybe, the ability to add your government payment card to a mobile wallet, such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay, varies by card program so please check with your card provider. Once you confirm your card’s eligibility, simply follow the instructions on the individual mobile wallet app to enroll your card and get started. Once enrolled, mobile wallets allow you to tap to pay in person at many merchants wherever you see the Contactless Symbol. You may also be able to use your mobile payment wallet account online.

Can I use my card to make recurring payments?

Yes, you can use your cards for recurring bill payments, however, you must ensure you have sufficient funds to cover the entire bill. If you have insufficient funds then your payment will be declined.

Are there any fees associated with my Government Payment Card?

There are no fees to make purchases, transfer funds to your bank account, or withdraw cash at in-network ATMs or participating retailers. However, other fees may apply depending on your card provider. To view a full list of applicable fees, refer to your cardholder agreement or visit your card provider’s website.

Can I add funds to my Government Payment Cards?

No, only the government can add funds to your card.

If you are looking for a prepaid card that you can add funds to, please visit the reloadable Visa Prepaid card page to learn more.

Can the government withdraw funds from this card?

No. The funds loaded on to the card belong to you and you’re the only one who can withdraw them.

Can I spend more than the balance on my card?

No, you can only spend the funds that are currently available on your card.

What happens if I try to use my card for a purchase that is more than my available balance?

If there is not enough money in your available account balance to cover a purchase, the transaction may be declined or partially authorized. Either way, you will need to provide additional funds to complete the purchase.

What should I do if my card is declined?

First, you should check your available account balance to see if you have sufficient money available and check the expiration date on your card to see if it is still valid. If you have sufficient money and your card is still valid, call the number on the back of your card for assistance.

Should I keep my card even if I’ve used all my funds?

Many government prepaid cards, including those used to distribute Unemployment Insurance, may receive recurring government payments. We recommend holding on to your card until the expiration date in case future funds are applied to your card.

Why is there a hold on my money?

Certain types of purchases (such as those you may make at gas stations, restaurants or hotel reservations) require a pre-authorization that temporarily puts a hold on a portion of your card funds. This hold could be greater than the cost of your purchase. Once your purchase is processed, the money will be released and your balance will be adjusted.  Please note that this hold on funds may take up to 10 business days to be released back to your card account balance (and up to 90 days for car rentals).

What if I have questions about the funds deposited to my card by the government?

Visit your state’s unemployment site for more information about your Unemployment Insurance benefit funds.

Why is there a pending transaction on my card?

Pending transactions (such as point-of-sale purchases, ATM withdrawal, transfer of funds, etc.) have been made with your card but have not yet cleared your account. Typically, merchants settle outstanding transactions at the end of the day. However, settlement policies vary by merchant, so it could remain pending for up to five days. While a transaction is pending, the funds will not be available for your use.

What if I lose my card?

Please immediately contact the customer service number or website on the back of your card. Rest assured that Visa’s Zero Liability Policy has you covered if your card is ever lost, stolen or fraudulently used. You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions made with your Visa Prepaid or Debit card.³

Can my card be instantly reissued if it is lost or stolen?

Most card providers do not instant issue these cards and will mail you a new card if your card is lost or stolen. Visit your card provider's website to learn if fees apply.

What if I haven’t received my Government Payment Card?

Visa is not responsible for sending out your Government Payment Card. You will need to follow up with one of the government entities listed below:

• For the status of your Unemployment Insurance card, please visit your state’s unemployment site for more information.
• For other government payments cards, like Child Support, please contact your state agency.

Get up-to-date information about your EIP Card including your balance and transactions, list of fees, and answers to frequently asked questions. For more information, visit the EIP Card website.