Questions about the Debit Card
- What is the Wisconsin Support Collections debit card?
- Is it a credit card?
- How can I get a VISA debit card?
- My credit is bad. What if I have been turned down when I applied for a credit or debit card before?
- How does the debit card work?
- Do I need a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to use my debit card?
- How long will it take for support payments to be deposited onto my debit card?
- What do I need to do to start using my debit card?
- Who can I call if I have questions about my debit card?
- How will I know how much is in my account?
- What happens if my card is lost or stolen?
- Can I add more money to my card account?
- Can I get a second card for someone else such as a family member?
- Can someone use my card if I say it is ok?
- What should I do if I want to sign up for direct deposit instead of using a debit card?
- What happens if I no longer receive support payments?
- Do I have to pay a fee for using my debit card?
- Can the debit card be overdrawn?
- Can I use my debit card and cash to pay for something that is more than I have in my card's account?
- I have cases in more than one county. Can I have the payments from one put on a debit card and payments from the other paid by direct deposit?
- Can my child support agency see my card's account?
1. What is the Wisconsin Support Collections debit card?
This is a VISA debit card for all the support payments that you receive. JP Morgan Chase Bank will issue the VISA debit cards. The Wisconsin Child Support Program is working with JP Morgan Chase to offer this service to all who receive support (child support, family support and spousal support/alimony).
When the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund receives support payments for you, they will deposit the payment into your debit card account instead of mailing you a check.
2. Is it a credit card?
No, it is more like a bank card or a check card. You can use it at stores to pay for the things you buy. But you can use only the amount that has been deposited into your card's account. For example, if you have $75 in your card's account, you can only buy $75 worth of items.
3. How can I get a VISA debit card?
You do not have to apply for a Debit Card. Starting in September, we will send VISA debit cards to a few payees who receive support payments (child support, alimony (maintenance) and family support).
There will be a 3 - 6 month rollout. By early 2008, almost all persons receiving support will be enrolled on the debit card.
We will not send debit cards to anyone who has signed up for direct deposit. You do not have to apply for the card.
4. My credit is bad. What if I have been turned down when I applied for a credit or debit card before?
If you get support payments you can receive a VISA debit card. Your credit rating does not matter.
5. 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 buy things over the phone and over the Internet.
To get cash, you can use your debit card at ATMs or at any bank that accepts Visa. 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.
6. 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 JP Morgan Chase after you receive your card.
You will get complete instructions with the card when it is mailed to you.
7. How long will it take for support payments to be deposited onto my debit card?
It normally takes about two days for your payment to reach your account after it has been received by the Trust Fund.
Please note: Payments are not deposited into card accounts on holidays or weekends.
8. What do I need to do to start using my debit card?
After receiving your card in the mail, you need to call JP Morgan Chase Bank (at their toll-free number 866-817-0761) to select a PIN number and activate your card. Although the Trust Fund can 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.
You will get information on how to activate your card. The phone number to activate your card will be on the back of the card.
9. Who can I call if I have questions about my debit card?
You can call JP Morgan Chase at 866-817-0761 (toll free), 24 hours/day. This phone number will be on the back of your card.
Please do not call this number until after you get your card. JP Morgan Chase cannot answer any questions about your debit card until you receive your card.
10. How will I know how much is in my account?
You can get your current balance 3 ways (for free):
- View your account online at www.myaccount.chase.com
- Call JP Morgan Chase at their toll-free phone number 866-817-0761. (The phone number is on the back of your card.)
- Check your balance at an ATM machine.
You will also get a monthly statement showing all your support payments and debit card withdrawals made for the month. If no payments are received and no card transactions are made for three months, the statements will stop until a new payment or transaction is made on the account.
Please do not call this number until after you get your card. JP Morgan Chase cannot answer any questions about your debit card until you receive your card.
You cannot sign up to use www.myaccount.chase.com until you activate your card and select a PIN number.
11. What happens if my card is lost or stolen?
You must call JP Morgan Chase at their toll-free number 866-817-0761 to report a lost or stolen card. They will send you a new card.
You will not be responsible for any fraudulent activity/purchases that occur on your card if you report the card missing in a timely manner, and if you have not shared your card or PIN number with anyone.
12. Can I add more money to my card account?
No, only support payments can be deposited into your card's account.
13. Can I get a second card for someone else such as a family member?
No, only the person who gets the support payments can get a card.
14. Can someone use my card if I say it is ok?
You should never let anyone else use your card. You should never tell someone else your PIN. If you do, you might not be protected if your card is lost or stolen. (See # 11.)
15. What should I do if I want to sign up for direct deposit instead of using a debit card?
If you want to switch to direct deposit, you should call the Trust Fund at:
- 414-615-2400 (metro Milwaukee)
- 800-991-5530 (Outside Metro Milwaukee)
- 877-209-5209 (TDD)
You can still use your card to spend any funds that are in your card's account.
16. What happens if I no longer receive support payments?
You can continue to use your card to spend any funds that remain in your card's account.
17. Do I have to pay a fee for using my debit card?
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Using your debit card to make purchases at stores or on-line | No Fee |
| Making cash withdrawals at any Chase Bank | No Fee |
| Using a Chase JP Morgan ATM or an AllPoint ATM to get cash | No Fee |
| Using another ATM for more than one cash
withdrawal for each support payment deposited into your card account |
$1.50 Plus any fee charged by the ATM owner |
| Checking balances on ATMs not owned by Chase or AllPoint | ATM owner might charge a fee |
| Replacing lost card more than once | $10.00 |
18. Can the debit card be overdrawn?
Overdrawing your account would be rare. Normally you can only use up to the amount of funds you have in your card's account. If you overdraw your account deliberately, the account could be closed.
19. 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 then pay $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.
20. I have cases in more than one county. Can I have the payments from one put on a debit card and payments from the other paid by direct deposit?
No, all of your payments must be put on the debit card unless you apply for direct deposit.
21. Can my child support agency see my card's account?
No. Child support agencies will only know what payments were received on your support case (as they do now). They cannot check your purchases or debit card balances.
