Direct Express Card: What Is It and How Do I Get One?

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What Is the Direct Express Card?

The Direct Express card is a prepaid debit card for federal government benefits. Instead of mailing you a check, the government automatically transfers your payment to your Direct Express card on your payment date each month.

If you're among the millions of people who receive federal payments through Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Compensation and Pension, or other federal programs, the Direct Express card is a convenient way to access and use your funds. It’s also known as the Direct Express Debit Mastercard.

There's no need to have a bank account, and there's no credit check required, either. The Direct Express card functions like a typical debit card, allowing you to make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs.

Key Takeaways

• The Direct Express Debit Mastercard allows people to conveniently receive various forms of government benefits payments.
• The Direct Express card can be used to pay bills, make purchases at retailers, and withdraw cash at ATMs.
• Direct Express cards are available without credit checks.
• Federal payment recipients can sign up for a Direct Express card by contacting their local federal payment agency or by calling the Direct Express enrollment center at (800) 333-1795.
• There are approximately 3.8 million Direct Express cardholders nationwide, and in 2023 70% of cardholders reported that they are unbanked.

How the Direct Express Card Works

As a cardholder, you can use your card in the following ways.

Receiving Benefits Payments

When you sign up for the Direct Express card, your federal payments are automatically transferred to your account every month. The following federal payments can be received with a Direct Express card:

Making Purchases

When you have money in your Direct Express account, you can use it to make purchases at any physical or online merchant that accepts Mastercard debit cards as a payment method. There is no transaction fee when you use the card at U.S. merchants.

Withdrawing Cash at ATMs

You can use the Direct Express card to take out cash at ATMs. There is no fee for the first ATM withdrawal in the U.S. per federal payment deposit, but you’ll pay $0.85 for every additional ATM withdrawal until your next payment is deposited.

Getting Cash Back at the Register

When you make purchases with your Direct Express card, such as at grocery stores and gas stations, you can use your card to get cash back at the register.

Using the Mobile App

The Direct Express Debit Mastercard mobile app is a tool you can use to manage your account, view your existing balance, and change your personal identification number (PIN). You can also use the app to request replacement cards, contact customer support, and find free ATMs nearby.

The Direct Express Debit Mastercard mobile app is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Direct Express Card Fees

The Direct Express card is a low-cost tool that may help people without bank accounts save money while accessing their benefits. It's free to use at U.S. merchant locations, online, and to pay bills, but there are some fees to keep in mind:

Benefits of the Direct Express Card

There are several perks to using the Direct Express Debit Mastercard.

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) protection: The money stored in your Direct Express account is backed by FDIC insurance, so deposits up to $250,000 are protected against bank failure.
• Faster, more convenient access to benefits: Instead of waiting for a check and driving to a check cashing center or bank, you’ll see your benefit payments automatically arrive on the card account on your payment due date.
• Security: With the Direct Express card, there's no risk of losing checks; your money is on a secure debit card, and access to the funds requires a personalized PIN.
• No bank account needed: In the U.S., 4.5% of households were unbanked in 2021 (the latest year for which there is data), meaning no one in the household has an existing checking or savings account. Those without bank accounts often rely on check cashing services—which charge high fees—but the Direct Express card doesn't require a bank account, which means you can actually use your entire benefit payment. In 2023, 70% of Direct Express cardholders were unbanked.
• Free tools and educational resources: Through the Direct Express Financial Education Center, you can access free tools and educational resources on budgeting, taxes, credit building, and elder care.

Unbanked households spend up to $2,400 per year on fees to access their paychecks and federal benefit payments, according to a 2019 federal study.

How to Get a Direct Express Card

To sign up for the Direct Express Debit Mastercard, follow these steps.

1. Contact the Direct Express enrollment center: You can sign up through your local federal benefit agency or by calling (800) 333-1795.
2. Request a card: Tell the representative that you receive federal payments and would like to enroll in the Direct Express program. The representative will ask you for personal details, such as your name and date of birth, and will request your mailing address.
3. Activate your card: You'll receive your card in the mail. You can activate the card online or through the Direct Express mobile app.

Comerica Bank, the financial institution that operates the Direct Express card, has been involved in controversy and lawsuits relating to program compliance failures, according to reporting in 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Bank Does the Direct Express Card Use?

The Direct Express Debit Mastercard program is issued by Comerica Bank, a financial services company based in Dallas. The card is issued through a license agreement with Mastercard, which means you can use it at retailers that accept Mastercard debit cards.

Can I Sign Up for the Direct Express Card if I Have a Bank Account?

Yes, you can get a Direct Express card if you have a bank account, like a checking account. Although a bank account isn't required for a Direct Express card, you can maintain a bank account and still take advantage of a Direct Express card's convenience.

How Do I Check My Direct Express Balance?

You can check your account balance online through the Direct Express portal, through the Direct Express mobile app, or at a local ATM.

Can I Use the Direct Express Card Outside the United States?

Yes, the Direct Express card can be used at retailers outside of the U.S., as long as the merchant accepts Mastercard debit cards. However, ATM withdrawals and transactions outside the U.S. will incur added fees. Purchases at merchants will incur a fee of 3% of the transaction, and ATM withdrawals outside of the U.S. will cost $3 plus 3% of the transaction, along with any additional fees by the ATM provider.

The Bottom Line

Instead of waiting for a check to arrive in the mail, enrolling in the Direct Express Debit Mastercard program allows you to access your federal benefits money quickly and easily. Most transactions within the U.S. are free, and you can use the card both online and in person. The Direct Express card could also help you save money on ATM and check cashing fees.

1. Direct Express. “FAQs.”
2. Direct Express. “Cardholder Satisfaction Ticks Up in 2023.”
3. Bureau of the Fiscal Service. ”Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Seeks Direct Express® Program Services.”
4. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. "2021 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households."
5. Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund. "Banking Fair."
6. America Banker. "Comerica in 'Serious Violation' of Treasury's Direct Express Program."

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