The Scary Mommy Community is a place to find support and camaraderie with amazing moms who love to help one another. We are scattered all around the world, of all different colors and sizes and lifestyles, united by a single thing: motherhood.

Please create a profile to post and for access to all of boards. It's quick and completely painless!

Motherhood Comes Naturally (and other vicious lies) is available in stores, and online, NOW. Do you have it yet? Have you told all your friends and family about it? **Get it, share it, and spread the joy!**
Experiences with the state debit card for child support vs direct deposit?
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    Okay another weird topic, sorry.

    For those of you who receive child support through your state's attorney general's office, and get it on a state issued debit card (for us it's just called the "Texas card", for example), I wondered if you'd share with me how long it takes you on average to get your money available.  From the time it shows up on your account as received to the time it is actually on the card, I mean.

    It seems to always take way too long, longer than the 2 to 3 days they say it will take.  More like five.  I am wondering if having it sent via direct deposit to a bank account would be any faster?    I always get so frustrated around thsi time of the month because it takes soon damn long for them to process it and put it on the card.
    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • etherieletheriel
    Posts: 715Member

    I have a Texas card for my child support payments. Unfortunately, I can't help you because I've only received 1 child support payment that was a surprise (XH's & his GF's joint tax return was garnished...HAHAHAHA) back in May and haven't received any more before or since then.

    I'll be watching this thread though. Just in case XH should ever decide he actually wants to support his children, it would be good to know if I should go the direct deposit route instead.

    If I'm not supposed to do it, how come I can?
  • TottyCake
    Posts: 937Member
    If I ever got child support I'd let you know!
  • MorganD
    Posts: 3,451Member
    I use the Texas debit card account. I've had it for about a year. I like it, but it's kind of a pain, because it doesn't always work for certain things, like paying the cable bill online. Since I don't have a bank account, it helps me access the money with ease.
    @etheriel The first time they garnished ExH tax return, I thought there was a mistake and didn't spend the money for two weeks.lol I had no problem buying the boys new clothes the second time!!
  • KiinuKiinu
    Posts: 1,160Member
    The MA child support card pissed me off.. the timing wasn't different, but it had fees and it didn't work at half of the ATMs in my town, so I switched to Direct Deposit.

    I know a lot of the wait time is just the state taking their time processing the payment and sending it to you. Obviously they're preforming science experiments on it or something because it takes like... days.. Ex gets paid on Fridays, I don't see my CS until the following Wednesday or Thursday depending on the week. No idea why, but it was the same on my MA card as it is in my bank acct.
  • etherieletheriel
    Posts: 715Member
    I don't have any fees that I know of on my Texas card, but I never tried to use it at an ATM. I can't use it online though, which is annoying.
    If I'm not supposed to do it, how come I can?
  • ConfusedDad
    Posts: 134Member
    I would recommend going with direct deposit...deposit the money is going to be deposited the same day whichever option you choose, but if you go with the card thats just one more account you have to keep track of and balance
  • deviltwinsmommadeviltwinsmomma
    Posts: 2,315Member
    Its been constant with me with the texas card two business days from the post so if its deposited on friday I get it on Tuesday. Thats when loser has a job...
    my mother used to sing me a song. It went like this: "Life is short, life is shit, and soon it will be over.
  • Not_hisAnymoreNot_hisAnymore
    Posts: 285Member
    In VA you are eligible for direct deposit after 3I consequentive payments. I am waiting on number 3 in the next few days.
  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,246Member
    I used to use the debit card, but switched to direct deposit. with the card, idmf I was getting low, I'd have to swipe it, wait for the cashier to see what's available, then swipe my bank card to pay for the rest. too much hassle. with direct deposit, I get an email stating that family division has sent payment to my bank, and that it "could take up to 5 business days to show in my account" . its never taken more than 2 days. and I always know what's in my checking account. thank the stars for online banking...

    I'd recommend direct deposit...jic u didn't catch that ...lol
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • WhoDatIsWhoDatIs
    Posts: 733Member
    It took a week and a half for the 11¢ to be posted to my card. I'm in California. Apparently there's no minimum payment amount....?

    Few years back I had direct deposit and it was always about 5 days after his check was garnished that I got it in my account.
    You and me, we go way back.
  • KiinuKiinu
    Posts: 1,160Member
    @etheriel the MA card isn't part of the SUM network like my bank card. So when it didn't work at an ATM I would get charged for a 'balance check' by the card company, and when it did work, I'd get charged by the ATM AND the card company.

    My bank card has no fees as long as I use an ATM that's part of the SUM network, which is most in my area.
  • TVmommyTVmommy
    Posts: 451Member
    Arizona has a deal with Chase bank so I have a chase pre-paid card for my child support. When I get child support I get it within 2 days unless its released on a Friday. Then I get it on Monday.
    Darling, a true lady takes off her dignity with her clothes and does her whorish best! At other times you can be as modest and dignified as your persona requires.
  • Blondambition
    Posts: 1Member
    So for what it's worth, I can tell you if you are lucky enough to get regular payments the debit card can be great. I have had both direct deposit and debit card and I always go back to the card. For one thing it's nice to have a separate place than your main bank account because when you have it put in the bank you might someday need another money source. Our assets were mistakenly frozen by the state of N.C. long story but in the 2 weeks it took to unfreeze my bank account I was able to access my cs on the card. I for one don't like keeping all my money in one place. And the turn around is exactly the same you're basically waiting for some state worker to input the numbers into her computer. That can take up to 4 business days. I get a check every week so I can usually expect the money to show up by Wednesday of the following week. Not bad.
Add a Comment