Direct Express Debit Card - Check & Activate Balance

Exploring Your Direct Express® Card

Let’s start with the important information on the front and back of your card.

The front of your Direct Express® card will have your full name, a unique set of sixteen numbers and an expiration date. When shopping online, use your name as it appears on the front of your card and use your current registered address.

The back of your card will have a blank signature box. Signing the card with your unique signature means that it belongs to you and will help protect you if your card is ever lost or stolen. Make note of the three-digit number to the right of your signature. This is the security code often referred to as the CVV or CVC2, and this threedigit number helps secure your card.

What to Do When Your Card Expires

You will automatically be sent a new card before the expiration date. The card won’t actually expire until the end of the expiration date printed on your card. For example, if your card expiration date is 03/31/2024 you can use your card until March 31st. Before your card expires you should look at any scheduled or recurring payments you have established and where your Direct Express® card is frequently used so you can update it. Your government benefit payment will continue to be paid to your new card automatically

Remember to always notify us if you change your address. If you change your address, make sure we have your current address on file to get your new Direct Express® card. Always notify Direct Express® and your benefit agency such as SSA, SSI, or VA if you change your address. If for some reason you don’t receive your new Direct Express® card in the mail within 2 weeks of the card expiration date printed on the front of your card, be sure to call the Direct Express® customer service number on the back of your

What Money Goes on Your Direct Express® Card?

It’s only for your government benefits.

Your Direct Express® card is used solely for your government benefit payment, so you can’t add other funds to the card. The government will automatically deposit your government benefit payment to your card each month. A list ofpayment types is at usdirectexpress.com. If you purchase an item from a retailer and then return it, the retailer will add the refund to your card which will appear in the form of a credit.

Say Goodbye to Excessive Fees

Your Direct Express® card is a prepaid debit card with your government benefit payment on it and has all the conveniences of other card products.

Costs often associated with other financial products do not apply to your Direct Express® card. Please review your cardholder agreement for all applicable fees. Need cash? Withdraw money at an in-network ATM each time you receive a benefit payment by selecting “checking” or “debit”. You can also get cash back when making purchases at participating merchants by selecting “debit” and entering the amount of cash you want to receive. Need to buy items at a store? Select “credit” and you can spend the available money that’s deposited on your card.

Your Direct Express® Card is Full of Features and Benefits!

Explore ways to use your Direct Express® card and learn why it is better than cash.

To access your money faster and with ease, the federal government will deposit your benefits directly onto your Direct Express® card The Direct Express® card helps you avoid fees and keep track of your deposits. That means no more worrying about losing a check in the mail or dealing with cashing your check. You will have access to your benefits anytime and it will be kept safe and secure on your card. Your Direct Express® card can be used anywhere Mastercard® debit cards are accepted, including stores, online shopping, paying bills, and over the phone. To withdraw cash, go to any ATM where the Mastercard® acceptance mark is displayed, or you can receive cash back

when making a purchase at participating retailers. For a small fee, you can also get cash using Direct Express Cash Access* available at Walmart Money Services or Walmart Customer Service Desks
*Withdraw up to $1,000 at Walmart Money Services or Walmart Customer Service Desks. Insert or scan your card, enter your PIN and present a photo ID. This is an optional service with an 85-cent-per-transaction fee (no additional Walmart fees apply). You can check the transaction on your statements, online, or via the mobile app.

No More Paper Checks!

Benefit payments are automatically deposited onto your Direct Express® card.

Checks can be stolen or lost in the mail. Fees are frequently charged just for cashing a check. The user-friendly convenience of a card and cost savings to you are among the reasons the government has switched from issuing checks to directly depositing your government benefit payment onto your Direct Express® card.Your government benefit payment will automatically be deposited each month onto your card so you will always know how much money you have.

Where You Can Use Your Card

Explore the many ways to use your Direct Express® card!

Your card comes with many features that make it superior to checks and cash, including a near universal acceptance for payments. Let’s explore your options:

Use your card for online or in-store purchases anywhere that accepts a debit Mastercard®.

Pay bills, either online or by phone.
Get cash back when you check out at many retailers.
Withdraw cash at any ATM where the Mastercard® acceptance mark is displayed. One free Direct Express® ATM withdrawal following each federal benefit deposit made

How to Set up a PIN

An easy guide to setting up your PIN.

When you activate your Direct Express® card, you will be prompted to do the following:

Enter your card number.
Provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) and date of birth.

After entering that information, you will be asked to select your PIN. Select a number that’s easy to remember and don’t share it with anyone

else, including your family. Try to avoid writing it down, but if you do, place it in a secure place and never write the number on the card. Writing the number on the card would give someone immediate access to your money if the card is lost or stolen. If you forget or need to change your PIN, call the phone number on the back of your card to speak with a Direct Express® customer service agent.

Signature or PIN? Which is Better?

Learn when to use signature vs. PIN.

Your Direct Express® card can be used for signature or PIN transactions. So, which one should you use when making a purchase? The simple rule for in person purchases at a retailer should be:

When you need cash back, use PIN by selecting “debit” at the checkout.
For everything else, use signature by selecting “credit” at the checkout.

Using credit or debit when making purchases offers you added security as you are protected under the Mastercard® Zero Liability policy which allows you to dispute unauthorized transactions.

Using ATMs

Tips on how to use ATMs and avoid the fees.

There are two types of ATM withdrawal fees: In-Network ATM withdrawal fees and Out-of-Network ATM withdrawal fees.

In-Network ATM withdrawals – refers to the Direct Express® card surcharge-free ATM network, which offers surchargefree ATM access at approximately 80,000 ATMs throughout the country including Comerica Bank, Charter One, Privileged Status, Alliance One, PNC Bank, Mastercard® ATM Alliance, and MoneyPass. You can access a list of available in-network ATMs at www.usdirectexpress.com.
Out-of-Network ATM withdrawals – you may be charged a fee by the ATM, even if you do not complete a transaction.

Direct Express® charges 85 cents per ATM withdrawal. You get one free monthly Direct Express® ATM withdrawal following each government benefit payment deposited to your Direct Express® card

For example, if you receive one social security payment and one disability payment each month, that means you have two free Direct Express® ATM withdrawals each month. Making the most of your money means avoiding ATM surcharge fees. One of the best ways to do this is to use in-network ATMs. Avoid ATM surcharges and be sure to use a surcharge free ATM. Fortunately, Direct Express® provides over 80,000 in-network ATMs across the country. To find an in-network ATM near you, download the Direct Express® mobile app or visit the Direct Express® card website at www.usdirectexpress.com., or call the Direct Express® Customer Service number listed on the back of your card. When using your card at an ATM, insert the debit card and enter your PIN. Select the “checking” button on the ATM. Select “Cash Withdrawal.” Enter the amount of cash needed and press “Enter.” (Don’t forget to take your card and receipt.)

Accessing In-Network and Out-of-Network ATMs

Choosing the right ATM can save money by eliminating fees

Need cash? Use your Direct Express® card at in-network and out-of-network ATMs. In-Network ATMs: When possible, use these ATMs for the following reasons:

Surcharge-free withdrawals are only available through an in-network ATM.

“In-network” refers to the Direct Express® card surcharge-free ATM network, which offers surcharge-free ATM access at approximately 80,000 ATMs throughout the country including Comerica Bank, Charter One, Privileged Status, Alliance One, PNC Bank, Mastercard® ATM Alliance, and MoneyPass. You can access a list of available innetwork ATMs by logging into your account through the Direct Express® mobile app or www.usdirectexpress.com.

In-network ATM locations can also be found at:

Out-of-Network ATMs: Avoid these ATMs if you want to avoid ATM surcharge fees.

Out-of-network ATM transactions may result in a fee when you withdraw money.

The ATM fee is called a “surcharge fee” and Direct Express® has no control over these charges. These can add up, so avoid out-of-network ATMs whenever possible.