So, the cards issued for child support really suck

[xmas74]

I received a partial payment recently on a SecuritE Card, which is the card issued in my state for all child support payments. I decided to use it to pay my electric and my Dish bill online. Guess what? It's been declined, even though when I check the balance I have more than enough to pay both bills and have a bit extra.

Now I have to withdraw the money from the account, which I will be charged to do so, then drive over to pay each bill, which will incur an additional charge since I am paying with cash in person.

I guess the state's got to get its money one way or another. In my case, it's from fees.

[abelenkpe]

1. I'm so sorry

I've seen numerous articles over the past few years that unemployment and other benefit cards are the same. States appear to have moved to bank cards in an attempt to save money. Not all businesses will accept the cards and banks are all too willing to skim off processing fees.

[xmas74]

2. I decided to run over to the atm and see if it was really there.

Yep, money in the account. I withdrew it-all of it.

Now I'll have to pay a $5 fee for the agent for Dish and another $5 for the agent with the electric. That's in addition to the $0.50 fee for checking my balance and the $3.00 for the withdraw fee. So, in total, $13.50 in fees to pay my bills.

[abelenkpe]

4. I'm so sorry, that's got to be infuriating

I wish more was done to stop that. Why can't the state negotiate a better deal? Does no one in government represent the average person anymore?

[xmas74]

7. Not in Missouri, for the most part.

We're full of teabaggers.

[PotatoChip]

5. This wouldn't solve the withdrawal fee issue,

but to save you from having to drive over to Dish and the electric company, could you just open up (or use your pre-existing) bank account? That way, you could deposit the CS money in there, and have Dish and the electric company take it out of that. Or write them a check.

Sorry about those fees though. For many of us, every last dollar counts! Maybe you could also mention the fee issue to your state legislator?

[xmas74]

6. My child support is supposed to be a direct deposit.

The problem is that it takes two-four check cycles in order for it to go through. Why is that a problem for me? Because I never get payments that often. There are times where two times a year is a big deal so I get really excited. When I saw that I had a CS payment I used my bank account to pay bills that I wanted to pay ahead but I already knew (from experience) wouldn't take that stupid card.

I'm ok-I can find ways around it. If need be I'll withdraw it from the EBT and deposit it in the bank. It's not often that I get a payment anyway so it's not as if I'm depending on it. But what about people who do?

[SamKnause]

3. Banks

The too big to fail, too big to jail banks are making a fortune off EBT cards. (Electronic Benefit Transfer)

Source; The Daily Beast.
Article Title; JP Morgan's Food Stamp Empire

Fees associated with the SNAP program; food stamps.

Each month, the three companies that administer EBT receive a small fee that can range from $.31 to $2.30 (or higher depending on the number of welfare services on an EBT card and state contractual requirements) for each snap recipient.

There are other fees attached to the EBT card. Fees for withdrawing money can range from $.75 to $1.50 per each occurrence.........

Very interesting two page article filled facts on this subject.

[xmas74]

8. I've read a few things about it.

It's irritating that I am charged a few for almost everything for this money.

[dsc]

9. In the case of the utility I tend to blame the state

they should as part of the next rate hike negotiation say you will take child support cards as payment or you won't get your hike.

[xmas74]

10. But they won't do that.

Everyone is making money all around otherwise.

I put the number down in another post upthread: it'll now cost me $13.50 in additional charges to pay two bills. I had the autopay set up on both bills with this card because I knew the money was in the account and now I have to get out and run around soon just to pay both bills.

This day really sucks.

[xmas74]

11. Time to motivate and pay the bills before the offices close.

That's the worst part-I have fees and I have to leave the house today. It's already a hot and sticky day in Missouri and I don't want to leave the comfort of my air conditioning.