Can I Borrow Money from My Direct Express Card? – A Comprehensive Guide

BY ACCEPTING THIS CARD YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS:

• Definitions: Agency. The Federal Government Agency that pays your Benefits. ATM. Automatic Teller Machine with the Mastercard® ATM Alliance Logo or the Mastercard® logo displayed Benefits. The Federal Government payments you receive electronically from the Agency. Business Day. Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Card. The Comerica Bank-issued Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® card or its card number, which is used to access money in your card account Access in some cases requires the use of your PIN. Card Account. The Comerica Bank account that you can access with your Card and to which the Agency electronically transfers your Benefits The money in the card account belongs to you. To the fullest extent allowed by law, the funds are insured by the FDIC. PIN. The Personal Identification Number that you select. Transaction. A transaction made with your card, such as a purchase, cash advance, cash withdrawal, cash back, merchant credit, benefit deposit, or otherwise
• Getting Started A. Turning on Your Card For further details, refer to the enclosed brochure about the Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® Card. Keep your PIN in a safe place. Never write it on or keep it close to your card. B. When Your Funds Are Available You can start using your card once you’ve activated it, chosen your PIN, and we’ve received and credited funds from the Agency to the Card Account. Usually, we can access these funds on the same business day that we receive them. The amount may be taken from the Card Account without giving you prior notice if the Card Account is credited with money you are not entitled to. The Agency may retrieve the funds if you used them and they were the wrong amount from the Agency. In the event of a loss resulting from any of these circumstances, we have the right to obtain compensation from you or your estate. You are not permitted to make deposits to your Card Account (see Section XI, “Adjustments to Your Card Account”). Only the Agency has the authority to add money to the Card Account, with the exception of merchant credits (for returns or adjustments).
• Using your Card A. Use of Your Card in General: You can pay for goods and services with your Card at any retailer that takes Mastercard® debit cards. Additionally, you can use your Card at ATMs bearing the Mastercard® logo. There are no Card fees for many of these Transactions. (See Section X, “Fees”) You must use your PIN in order to use your Card at ATMs or to receive cash back when using your Card to make purchases. You should choose “credit” for other transactions, and you might be required to sign the sales receipt. Choosing “credit” does not imply that you are receiving a loan from us or the Agency. You must make sure that you have enough available funds in the Card Account to cover the Transaction and any previous Transactions because the amount of each Transaction will be subtracted from your available Card Account balance, along with any applicable fees (See Section X, “Fees”). You may not overdraw your Card Account. Money that’s got a transaction hold on it (see paragraph B) For other Transactions, neither the security freeze (see Paragraph 3 of Section V) nor Section III “Transaction Holds” are available. If you return an item that you purchased using a Point of Sale (“POS”) terminal, you will not receive a cash refund or adjustment. As an alternative, the retailer will complete a credit transaction, which we will then apply to the balance on your card account. You can direct us to move money from your card account to your personal US bank account using our automated phone funds transfer service, mobile app, or website. Your initial transfer may be limited to $200 if we are unable to authenticate or verify the details of your personal bank account. 00 or not allow the transfer to proceed. Every transfer has a cost (refer to Section X, “Fees”). Transfers generally take three (3) Business Days. Requests to pay bills or make phone transfers that are received after our cutoff time or on a non-business day will be processed as of the following business day. You are unable to cancel the Transaction once we have confirmed a transfer or payment instruction. B. Transaction Holds, Preauthorized Payments, and Preauthorized Credits Transaction Holds. Certain Card purchases, like those for hotels and car rentals, may require the merchant to obtain authorization in advance for a projected amount. In order to make sure there are enough funds on hand when the purchase is finished, we temporarily suspend (“Transaction Hold”) your funds for the estimated amount of the purchase if the authorization is accepted. The held funds won’t be available for use in any other transactions until the transaction settles in full or we decide it won’t be processed. We will charge your card for the full amount of the final transaction when the preauthorized transaction settles, and we’ll release any excess funds. We will release the hold and make those funds available for your use if we decide that there is little chance the preauthorized transaction will be completed. Preauthorized Payments. By providing your Card Account details to the merchant, you can use your Card to make regular, pre-authorized payments to them. If the amount of these payments varies, the person you will be paying will notify you ten days in advance of each payment’s date and amount. Alternatively, you can opt to receive this notice only in the event that the amount due differs from the previous payment by a specified amount or exceeds pre-established limits. If you contact us by phone at the customer service number listed below or by mail at Direct Express®, Payment Processing Services, PO Box 540190, Omaha, NE 68154-0190, you have the option to revoke a pre-authorized payment from your card account. Before the payment is due, we must receive your request at least three (3) business days in advance. (Note: We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to attempt to halt the payment if we do not receive your request at least three (3) Business Days prior to the scheduled payment. Even if we grant your request to halt payments, we disclaim all liability for our inability to do so. If you call, we might ask that you submit your request in writing to us within 14 days of the call, along with a copy of your notice to the payee rescinding the payee’s authorization to initiate debits to your card account. Within 14 days, if we don’t receive the written confirmation, we might honor any further debits to your card account. When requesting to stop a specific payment, be sure to include the precise amount (in dollars and cents), the date the payment was made, and the payee’s identity. We may interpret your stop payment order as a request pertaining to just that one transfer, unless you specify that all upcoming transfers to that particular recipient are to be stopped. We will be responsible for your losses or damages if you instruct us to stop one of these payments at least three (3) Business Days prior to the planned transfer and we fail to comply. Preauthorized Credits. If you have arranged for the same person or business to make direct deposits to your account at least once every 60 days, you can call us at 866-606-3311 to check if the deposit has been made. You can only apply federal benefit payments to your Card Account.
• Transactions We May Refuse to Process: If the transaction exceeds your available balance, if the card has been reported lost or stolen, if we are unsure of your authorization, or if there is a dispute regarding your available balance, then we may refuse to process the transaction. You should get in touch with the Agency if you think you were entitled to Benefits in a different amount than what was credited to your Card Account.
• Issues Using Your Card: Should you encounter any issues using your card at a gas station self-service pump, you might need to pay inside. If you think you have enough money available for the transaction but are having trouble using your card, give us a call at the customer service number shown below. We might “freeze” your card temporarily for security reasons if we discover transactions that seem out of the ordinary or suspicious while we make contact with you.
• Transaction History and Card Account Balance You can get the information for free by calling our customer service number or visiting our website, www. usdirectexpress. com. You can also obtain monthly written statements for a fee. Maintain a record of all of your transactions, including transaction holds, so you are aware of the balance on your card. You can obtain a receipt for the transaction when you make a purchase or take out cash. The receipt may sometimes show the balance on your card account. Additionally, you can visit www.cardservice.co.uk or call the customer service number below to get information about your card account balance and a record of your transactions. usdirectexpress. com. [Note: Transactions or fees that are still being processed and have not yet settled may not be included in the balance information.] The amount may also include payments that are subject to a security freeze (see Section V, paragraph 3) or a hold (see Section III, paragraph B, “Transaction Holds”). You can track the transactions posted to your Card account by selecting and printing transaction history from the website for a maximum of 12 months. When you make a withdrawal or check your balance at some ATMs, the receipt you receive also shows the amount of available funds. Additionally, you may call us at the number on the back of your card or send us a letter at Direct Express®, Payment Processing Services, PO Box 540190, Omaha, NE 68154-0190 to request a minimum of 24 months’ worth of written records of Card Account transactions. This information won’t cost you anything unless you ask for it more than once every month.
• Card and PIN Security: Report Lost or Stolen Card: You consent to refrain from providing your Card or PIN to third parties in any way. If you do, even if they conduct transactions beyond your authorization, you will be held accountable for any of those transactions. You consent to not writing your PIN on your card or keeping it in the same location as your card for security reasons. Call the customer service number below as soon as you suspect that your card or PIN has been lost, stolen, or that someone has transferred or taken money from your card account without your consent. Additionally, you can visit our website at www.directexpress.com or write to us at Direct Express®, Payment Processing Services, PO Box 540190, Omaha, NE 68154-0190. usdirectexpress. com. Calling us is the fastest way to report this loss. When we receive a report of a lost, stolen, or destroyed card or PIN, we will cancel your card and you won’t be responsible for any further transactions made with the canceled card.
• Your Responsibility for Illegal Transactions Notify us as soon as you suspect that your card or PIN has been misplaced or stolen. Making a call to us at the Customer Service number is the most effective method to minimize any potential losses. You could lose all the money in your Card Account. If someone uses your card or PIN without authorization, you can only lose up to $50 if you notify us within two (2) business days. You could lose up to $500 if you do not notify us within two (2) business days of discovering that your card or PIN has been lost or stolen and we can show that, had you notified us, we could have prevented someone from using your card or PIN without authorization. If you are unable to contact us over the phone, you can write to us at PO Box 540190, Omaha, NE 68154-0190, Direct Express®, Payment Processing Services. In any case, you will not be responsible for the $500 sum mentioned above if you live in California. Your liability for the unauthorized use of the Card will not be more than $50 if you live in New York. Additionally, please notify us right away if the recorded transaction history or other card transaction information that you have been given indicates transfers that you did not make. If we can show that we could have prevented someone from taking the money if you had notified us in time, you might not be able to get back any money you lost after the 120 days after the allegedly incorrect transfer was credited or debited to your card account. If you were unable to notify us for a legitimate reason (such as a lengthy trip, a hospital stay, or a family member’s illness), we will extend the deadlines. Your Card will be canceled and you won’t be responsible for any more Card transactions after you report your Card or PIN as lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• In Case of Errors or Questions about Your Card Transactions: If you believe there has been a mistake with your card account, contact us as soon as possible by phone at the number below or by letter at the address below. Within 120 days of the allegedly incorrect transfer being credited or debited from your card account, we need to hear from you. You must provide us with your name and card number. Why you think there is a mistake and how much money is at stake The approximate date when the error took place. In order for us to get in touch with you, do give us your street address, email address, and phone number. You must give us written notice of the error at Direct Express®, Payment Processing Services, PO Box 540190, Omaha, NE 68154-0190, within 10 Business Days if it cannot be resolved over the phone. After hearing from you, we will investigate whether a mistake occurred within 10 Business Days (20 Business Days for new Card Accounts opened less than 30 days), and we will promptly fix any errors. However, if additional time is required, we might investigate your complaint or inquiry for up to 45 days. In the event that we make this decision, we will credit your card account for the amount you believe is incorrect within 10 business days (20 business days for newly opened card accounts opened less than 30 days), allowing you to use the funds while we finish our investigation. We reserve the right not to credit your card account if we request that you submit your complaint or inquiry in writing and we do not receive it within 10 Business Days. If your complaint or inquiry relates to errors with new accounts, point-of-sale, or foreign-initiated transactions, we might take up to 90 days to look into it. After our investigation is finished, we will notify you of the findings within three (3) business days. If we determine there was no mistake, we will provide you with a detailed explanation. You are entitled to copies of the records we consulted while conducting our inquiry and coming to our conclusion. Please give us a call at the customer service number shown below if you require any additional information regarding the error resolution processes.
• Fees: The fees listed on the List of All Fees included with your card are those that we will charge you, and you agree to pay them. Refer to the pamphlet that comes with your card to learn how to prevent fees. If you think you were overcharged for a fee, give Customer Service a call at the number provided below.
• Adjustments to Your Card Account: Occasionally, the balance of your card will be adjusted to reflect a merchant adjustment, settle a dispute about a transaction that was posted to your card, make corrections to deposits or transactions that were posted incorrectly, or fulfill Agency requirements to return Benefits received after your death or declaration of incompetence (“Reclamation”). These changes could result in a negative balance on your card account. If there aren’t enough money in your account to cover a transaction or fee, we might try to collect the money from you, your estate, or your beneficiaries, or we might take that amount out of any future credits to your card account. Never forget that you can always contest changes that are posted to your card account.
• Our Liability to You: We shall be responsible for your losses or damages if we fail to complete an electronic fund transfer (Transaction) to or from your Card Account in a timely manner or in the correct amount in accordance with these Terms. There are some exceptions, however. For example, we won’t be responsible if: You don’t have enough money in your card account to finish the transaction for no fault of ours; We think you might not have approved the transaction; Unforeseen events (like a fire, flood, water damage, power outage, strike, labor dispute, computer malfunction, phone line disruption, or natural disaster) prevent or delay the transfer, even though we’ve taken reasonable precautions; The debit card system—which includes the ATM and POS terminal—was malfunctioning when you started the transaction, and you were aware of the issue when you started it; The Agency neglected to send Benefits to your card account for us to credit to your card account; Funds in your card account were held as a result of a transaction
• Suspending or Canceling your Card. We may, at any time, temporarily suspend or permanently terminate your use of the Card, including electronic access to your Card Account; if you violate any of these Terms; if the Agency notifies us to do so; if we suspect unauthorized use of your funds, Card, or PIN; if there are competing claims to your funds; if you have reported multiple unauthorized transactions; if we believe your Card is being used for any unlawful purpose; if we believe you are identified as a specially designated national by the Office of Foreign Asset Control You can cancel your Card by calling the customer service number listed below or sending us a written notice in advance. Even if you cancel the Card, this does not absolve you of the obligation to pay us back for any money owed to us under these Terms. When your Card is permanently canceled, you should notify the Agency so that alternative arrangements can be made for you to receive your Benefits.
• LEGAL & GENERAL TERMS Governing Law. It is believed that the money in your card account is held in the state of Michigan. These Terms will be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, unless a federal law or regulation applies to a particular section of these Terms or use of the Card. You might be entitled to additional rights under state laws that apply to us and your Card, depending on where you live. We will comply with applicable federal and state law. Limitation on Time to Sue. Any action or proceeding you take to enforce any duty, obligation, or right arising under these Terms or applicable law with regard to your Card or Card Account must be started within a year of the cause of action accruing, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Venue, Resolution of Disputes, and Waiver of Jury Trial and Judicial Reference In the event that you encounter any issues concerning your card or card account, please contact customer service right away at the number provided below. Most of the time, a phone call will quickly and amicably settle the issue in an informal way. However, if a disagreement cannot be settled amicably, you or we may file a lawsuit with a court that has subject matter jurisdiction in the state in which you have indicated you live. You and we both agree to forfeit the right to a jury trial to settle any dispute, claim, demand, court action, and controversy (“claim”) between you and us arising out of or relating to your Card and/or Card Account, unless the law specifies otherwise or the claim is brought before a court in the State of California. This covers, without limitation, actions taken on behalf of others by you in your capacity as a class representative and actions taken on your behalf as a class member by a class representative. You and we agree that any claims filed in a California court will be heard by a reference proceeding under the guidelines of Sections 638 et al. seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”), or its successor sections, which, as agreed upon by both of us, is the only available means of resolving any disagreement, regardless of whether it is relevant to the reference proceeding In the reference proceeding, the referee has the following powers: (i) to hear all issues and make decisions, including but not limited to disputes over discovery; (ii) to grant equitable and legal relief and make decisions regarding any motion that is otherwise permitted under the CCP; and (iii) to make decisions that resolve all claims and that the court will enter as a final, binding, and conclusive judgment, subject to appeal. A trial that is determined by a court-appointed referee rather than a jury is known as a judicial reference proceeding. You acknowledge that you might be entitled to a jury trial on these issues absent this waiver of the jury trial or if you agree to submit claims for resolution through a reference proceeding, but you nevertheless voluntarily agree to waive that right. You acknowledge that you and your legal counsel have had a chance to discuss this provision. Privacy. On our behalf, we and our agents gather nonpublic personal data about you, such as g. , your name, address, phone number, social security number, and birthdate) from the following sources: data you provide on card applications and enrollment forms; and data about your transactions with us and other parties, such as the Agency Except for the following purposes: processing and/or enforcing transactions with us and with others; facilitating your Card enrollment and Agency payments/adjustments; providing educational materials and other Card program features; as permitted or required by law, regulation, legal process, or court order; reporting to local, state, and federal authorities if we believe a crime may have been committed involving a Card; or as otherwise requested by you, we do not disclose personal nonpublic financial information about current or former Cardholders to third parties We limit our agents’ and staff’s access to your nonpublic personal information to those who require it in order to process your card and transactions. To protect your nonpublic personal information, we adhere to federal regulations and maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards. Assignment. You may not transfer to another party any of your rights or responsibilities under these Terms or with your Card. Legal process. Any subpoena, levy, or other legal procedure that we sincerely believe to be legitimate may be obeyed by us. We may notify you of such process by phone, email, or letter, unless the law forbids us from doing so. We may charge those expenses to your card account if the party serving the process does not fully reimburse us for the costs of our record search, photocopying, and handling. Even if the law requires personal delivery at a different location, we may honor legal process that is served in any manner at any of our offices, including locations other than where the funds or records sought are held. Note: Federal and/or state laws protect some benefit payments from garnishment, and they may place restrictions and limitations on the use of the legal system. A fee of up to $50. 00 may be charged for the examination and handling of estate claims, which includes paying out any leftover cash to the surviving cardholder’s estate. Change in terms. As required by law, we reserve the right to amend, delete, or change these Terms at any time by giving you prior notice. Severability/Waiver. Any clause that is found to be illegal, void, or unenforceable will be considered removed from these terms and will not have an impact on the validity and enforceability of the remaining clauses. We won’t lose our rights to enforce this Agreement if we take a while to do so. Any waiver made by either of us will not be interpreted as a waiver of the same or other rights at a later date. Unclaimed Property. State law mandates that we surrender the balance in accounts that have not seen any activity for a predetermined period of time, including withdrawals, deposits, balance inquiries, or other customer-initiated communications. States have different deadlines for relinquishment, also known as escheatment. You acknowledge that we are not responsible for any losses you might experience as a result of our law-abiding, good-faith efforts. With the help of Direct Express® Cash Access, you can get cash from your Direct Express® card at Walmart Money Services or Walmart Customer Service without having to make a purchase. All you need is your PIN, your Direct Express® card, and a legitimate photo ID. The maximum amount of cash that can be obtained using this method is limited. This optional service is available in the U. S. and Puerto Rico. No additional Walmart fees apply. Additional authorized retailers may be offered in the future. Comerica Bank issues the Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® card under license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard® is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Customer Service: 1-866-606-3311 .

The Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card is a safer, more convenient way to receive federal benefits.

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How To Borrow Money from Direct Express – Step by Step

FAQ

How do I get Direct Express emergency cash?

Can you overdraw your Direct Express card?

What bank is Direct Express on plaid?

Does direct express ® offer a line of credit?

The full amount of your purchase is debited from your card account at the time of the purchase or very soon thereafter. The Direct Express ® card does not provide a line of credit. With a credit card, you use a card to borrow money to make purchases and pay back the credit card company in part or in full every month.

Can I use my direct Express ® debit card if I have money?

You can only use your Direct Express ® debit card if you have money in your account. The full amount of your purchase is debited from your card account at the time of the purchase or very soon thereafter. The Direct Express ® card does not provide a line of credit.

Who needs direct express cash?

Cardholders whose cards have expired and are waiting for their new card to arrive in the mail but need money now. Those who have ordered a replacement Direct Express debit card and need access to their cash now. How do I get emergency cash from Direct Express?

How much money can I spend on a direct Express ® debit card?

The amount of your purchase plus any cash back will be deducted from your card account balance. You can not spend more than the amount of funds in your account. The Direct Express ® Debit MasterCard ® card is accepted at merchant and bank locations worldwide.