The VA (through the Treasury Department) will offer beneficiaries without bank accounts the option to enroll in the Direct Express debit card program with Comerica Bank. Direct Express payments will be directly deposited into that account and made accessible through a debit card that is mailed by Comerica Bank to the beneficiary’s home address. Personal funds cannot be transferred into this account as it can only be used to receive Federal benefits.
According to the VA release the following advantages are assoicated with debit card program:
1. The Direct Express debit card offers beneficiaries the opportunity to receive their payments electronically even if they do not have a bank account.
2. Cardholders have 24/7 access to their money at automated teller machines (ATMs) and are able to make purchases at any retailer that accepts MasterCard.
3. Cardholders can access their account information by telephone and Internet, make purchases over the Internet, and receive cash back with no fee at retail locations.
4. Debit cards eliminate the cost of cashing a check.
5. Debit cards are a safe and reliable means of receiving a payment.
Thanks to some of our readers for pointing out that although most services are free, there are some fees associated with the Direct Express card.
Here is a quick summary taken from the Direct Express website.
Free services include:
- There is no cost to sign up for the card and there are no monthly fees.
- Purchases at retail locations, cash back with purchases, or cash withdrawals through bank or credit union tellers.
- One free ATM cash withdrawal for each deposit posted to account each month $.90 per additional withdrawal (The fee waiver earned for that deposit expires on the last day of the following month in which the deposit was credited to the Card Account). Surcharge fees may apply. There are ATM owner fees called “surcharge fees”, if you do not use a Direct Express® card surcharge-free network ATM to withdraw your cash.
- Balance information at ATMs, by phone or online.
- Optional notification of deposits to debit card by phone, email or text message.
- Optional low balance alert when account balances falls below a certain level.
- Access to the toll-free customer service number and website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- One free replacement card per year (additional replacement cards available for a fee)
Optional services available for a fee include:
- More than one ATM withdrawal per deposit ($.90 cents per withdrawal). Surcharge fees may apply. There are ATM owner fees called “surcharge fees”, if you do not use a Direct Express® card surcharge-free network ATM to withdraw your cash.
- Card replacement after one free replacement card per year ($4.00 per card).
- Monthly paper statement mailed to cardholder ($.75 cents per month).
For additional information and to read the full press release on the Direct Express program, please visit Military.com/benefits.
Dig a little deeper and see the fees list vs. the fee free options. These guys are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. If you are going to have the money put in this account which is associated with a financial institution, why not just have an account and direct deposit of your choice in the first place. A credit union would be the perfect choice and the fee based services would go away.
Once again, some slick, fast talking spokesperson from a banking institution has sold a bill of goods to a government agency.
I agree with your post Russell ! Seems like there is always a hustle or Con and the Expense of the Veterans
Yup, a real rip off. They prey on the poorly educated who cannot read or understand English. Why can't the government reward our veterans instead of screwing them? In Manila, they took our Champus benefits away, and pay less money for our children's education, don't cover all meds, just some. No eye glasses, and 100% disabled veterans must pay for medical care that's not service related, even though listed as unemployable. They allow divorce courts to dip into our compensation payments. My entire pension from teaching is taken for child support and $700 from my compensation. It took me 6 months to see a psychiatrist. The one in The Philippines who performed a c&p for a home health care aide deliberately lied and I had to ask for a new c&p. My psychiatrist here is great and sees me once a month. I am treated well here by the VA staff here otherwise. Better than in the U.S.
Dude,
Whenever a man complains about child support taking their pension 2 things come to mind.
1. They are taking it only because you weren't paying it.
2. You must be an awful parent.
Thats an insult Robert D. Wilson, what are you saying, that vets are poorly educated and cannot read or understand "engrish"? or are you speaking for yourself?
It mean's the Government still technically in their account until funds are drawn and receive interest on the money. The idea is the longer the money is unused the more interest it draws. They are counting that the money's will not be used right away.
I'm in agreement ith Russell Lewis above. But I'd also like to state that once your money is deposited in a bank or other financial institution the government is allowed by law to go in and simply take that money from you if the government feels it deserves it, e.g., the IRS is permeitted by law to take from your bank account without any prior notice to you. The banks dont have to let you know this either. It is the American banking industry that is pimping the government. Our government is no more than an institutional prostitute for corporate banking.
I would like to ask who is going to let their money stay on the card long enough for the IRS or any government to get hold of it.
What is with you guys and hiding from the IRS?? Pay your taxes and you won't have to be so flippin' paranoid.
Let's face it people. We've been manipulated all along into this cashless society thing since the first credit card (DinersClub) to erase money from the face of the earth. It's easier to manipulate numbers that paper. Thats what this whole thing with Bernie Madoff was about. Where the hell are you going to hide $50Billion dollars? Think about it people! The U.S.A. is nothing but a corporation of magicians and wizards. Hey, Whose that behind the curtain?
I've been using it for more than 2 years now, and although there are some minor costs involved if you withdraw cash, all-in-all I find it convenient and useful. I don't have any gripes about it and realistically, I don't expect a financial institution to handle my financial transactions as a charity.
I am not going to be receiving anytime in my lifetime, but the first thing that concerned me was the fees. Many of the States are using debit cards for things and recently the fees have been going up for their use, basically just transferring cash right into profit from those that usually really need the money. If this is the way of the "future" there should be some sort of law that the maintenance of these types of accounts should be a "cost of doing business" for the banks instead of a profit making adventure. I just hope that the "free" and "inexpensive" and "convenient" stays that way, I'm really getting sick of seeing people get the shaft by the banks.
There is no denying that these cards are not for everyone. If you have a real bank account by all means you should direct deposit your benefits. But for many vets this is a good solution if they do not or cannot get a bank or credit union account. As for the fees….I don't pay any fees because I follow the free path which is offered. Compare free to the fees you mght currently be paying for check cashing. I prefer to carry the card in my pocket instead of my entire social security check. Like I said, the card is not for everyone but it works for me.
Unless we get paid faster than gives a Ratsbottom.
Always read the fine print…it isn't always as it seems…if it sounds to good to be true then it most likely is…
I agree with Russel, why NOT just have a Bank account to begin with. You can have a second account in someone's name for your "side hustle" deposits, and the SSI and VA won't be able to track your "extra" money.
Bank of America – and talk about a rip off artist – offers free checking with direct deposit and unlimited debit card use. In fact, most banks offer free services if you direct deposit your paycheck or govt/SSDI check. This Comerica thing makes B of A look good. Veterans, RUN from this. This is the government backing up a pool of sharks, anxious to nickle and dime you to death. Get the direct deposit checking and a truly FREE account and debit card at your local bank.
That is they only way to go, with your own banking account. The debt card tied to your VA check? what about paying your bills, are you going to get all your money out and then buy money orders or use Wal-Mart pay system to pay some of your bills????
Just get a checking or savings account, because the goverment is going to do away with paper checks, no matter how much people what to keep them.
Your options are up soon, so what are we going to do, not get paid. Why pay to use a card because you don't want an account at a bank????
Yes, and as long as we have the Obama "starve out the elderly and Disabled" policy of no COLA, in the face of ever higher COLA's in real life, you should just run away very fast and get your own account.
Probably get audited for my comments, but I do stand by them.
@peterjc It's not charity; you are/they are receiving direct deposits. They make money off of your deposit indirectly, through reporting mechanisms and investments.
Enter text right hereTT ! This is a reap off again –Veterans are placed last to the Government.
I'm disappointed that the VA chose to do away with the option to recieve a check in the mail. I would rather have the VA charge 3 dollars per check to pay the cost of printing and mailing the checks out. You can believe me when I say that the bank is going to charge us more than 3 dollars per month. Secondly, the IRS can get at your money without any warning.This could be devastating for someone making their house payments with this money.
the goverment is doing the right thing.I joined the direct express several months ago. you do not have to go to direct deposit but simply get direct deposit ,after 2013 the goverment is stopping printing checks (at $.50-$1.00 a check we would save the goverment a bunch of cash) So go to direct express or direct deposit to your bank, what's the hassle….with direct deposit in your bank you'll get a bunch of Bennie's.. the goverment isn't making us do anything you-all just want to bitch!!! we're not in boot camp anymore (boy i bet i pissed everyone off)
obama must have had something to do with this
Oh, give it a rest.
Unless you mean that in a good way!
why blame obama for this, he is not responsible for everything that is wrong. I"m sick of all you folks who want to blame our President for every little things, let"s put the blame where it belongs (VA).
All this souunds good for our vets. My question is what do they do for ID to use this card. The va will know all the purchase's that they make. When you look closer at this Benifft does'nt look so good.
Obviously, I don't agree with this program, but…
1. I would think if you're a vet, you have some sort of ID. Either military ID or a driver license or something.
2. I wouldn't go so far as to say the VA will know the purchases you make. They only deposit the money, not track it. No more than they know where you spend money if you have direct deposit.
(and just in case anyone has a smart comment, YES if you are in California, it is a "driver" license, not a "driver's" or "drivers" license… check the top :-)
I'm a viet nam vet, when i was discharged, for maybe seven years give or take a year, i was depressed, anxiety attacks, i could go on, but bottom line, when i tried to get help from them, after going back and fourth for a year or more, they told me they didnt have the funds to help. from that point on, i wouldnt ask them to pee on me if i were on fire. hmmm didnt have no problem sending me to nam to fight for them, i've washed my hands
doesnt sound any different than any other profit bank with credit cards, thanks v.a. for nothing
Many of you are missing a major point. Funds that are put in a Bank, can be garnished. That can mean and heavy loss. No one can garnish Cash. Many Vets can not get a " Bank account" for different reasons. Bad credit, is a big one. Another big reason is that most people dont trust banks and their right to change checking fees, without any reprecussions from the Gov. that is supposd to protect us, as Vets., even though most of us are recieving allotments, because WE did our job in protecting the citizens, including the bankers of this country.Some just dont want the Gov. to get a piece of their allotment, thru garnishment. IRS. means, I have the Right to Screw the Vets
Why would they garnish your pay? pay your bills on time and problem solved, thats all. Simple, ain't it?
Write your congressman, Write your senators, Write Obama, Tell everyone you know, get heard!
Vets notice!!! (the Low balance alert when account balances falls below a certain level ) does this means the account need to keep a certain amount in the bank or the bank will charge additional fees when the account balance goes to a zero balance.
I think low balance alert is something you set up. I don't recall reading anything about minimum balance requirements.
instead of a monthly deposit just give me 10 yrs of my yearly money and forget I exist. if I run short I lived too long huh? If I don't live 10 yrs come get the remainder back lol
Agree that some of the terms suck. But for the homeless vets with no address, no legal state or federal ID or those with bad credit who are not able to open a bank account or get a debit card, this is very helpful for them.
The best way to get around the fees is to use the debit card for all your purchases and bills. When you need cash, get cash back at one of the locations for your purchase. There are no fees associated with that.
I actually switched from my credit union to DX for my VA Disability pension, I can withdraw money from the account with no fee from 2 banks in the area (I just go inside and use it at the teller instead of the ATM) and it is always deposited on time. I haven't been whacked with "outrageous fees" I really do think some of you guys just live to bitch about things.
Amen!!! If I want cash, up to the amount on DX, I just go PNC bank and no problem. Quit bitching, the banks will rip you more!!!
I thought they do SSI this way already. A family member watches children and get paid thru the states vouchers and it goes to a card like this…and yes all the fees and this is a rip off. Even though we have a bank account they still did the money this way.
Yes Social Security already have a system setup like this.
People will complain about anything! Who still in 2011 receives paper checks or doesn't have a bank account. And for the idiot who said the government receives interest on money in YOUR bank account is on crack. The VA has some problems I would agree
well just for the record some of us do not have bank accounts because of divorce or bankrupcy, if you open a bank account it gets frozen by people you owe money too and if you dont have the money to pay them then you cant open a bank account. also when in this country did we start geting told what is going to happen instead of voting on it this is not the democratic way mandating that your check will be put in an account for you if you dont sign up not given a choice is lame. Far as i am concerened its wear a seat belt, turn your lights on when its raining, dont smoke in the parks or inside buildings well you get the point, if people continue to sit back and watch all this take without a voice in a vote and not mandated then someday we will have no voice at all.
It's a choice gilld, they don't have to do it if they don't want to.
Well, big banks started the credit/Debit card thing, and charge you an arm and a leg for their services, thats why I don't deal with big banks. It was only a matter before the Gov got into it, and Uncle Sam do it for free, if you are a vet this is perfect, less hassle cashing your check….do the math.
Yesser. I have a debit card, one of the good things about it is, the credit union that I use is apart of a system called shared branchin, which means if you use one of those branches ATM, it's free, and you money is protected up $200. 000 dollars. Every time I use a big bank they charge anywhere from $2.00 to $3.00 dollars to make a withdrawal, thats crazy.
As of May 1, 2011, the Treasury Department enacted a new rule that federal deposits made over a 60 days period prior to receipt of a court order,are now protected and cannot be attached or garnished. This includes ss and va benefits. The only exception was for a levy by IRS or child support. See Federal Register Volume 76, Number 36, Rules and Regulations, Pages 9939-9962 (Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments). On Line. Pass this on to your friends who may be in any type of court action to protect their income.
Everything is political. Republicans love helping big business make money. Democrats love helping those with problems. Both want to save government money. I think this is a win-win for both sides. Banks are making money off folks that haven’t figured out how to avoid fees and surcharges, vets without bank accounts or home addresses can get their benefit payments (providing they don’t lose their debit card), and Uncle Sam saves printing costs of checks and staffing costs of returned checks and complaints of lost or missing checks.
Freedom has a price. If you want the benefits our government offers then you are forced to play the game under their rules. If not, you are free to walk away. I’m not saying this is good or bad, it will help some and make things difficult for others. I’ve learned the only thing I can count on is that things will change. I may not like it but it’s going to happen.
Damn Bank Lobbyist Have cut a deal with the VA to rob the vets. If you don't have can't handle a bank account, How in heaven name will you be able to handle a Debit card. I see a lot of overdrawn accounts and excessive overdrawn fees.
BAD IDEA VA Admin.
Thats easy my friend, with a debit card, you can't overdraw, because it won't give you money you don't have. So in essence, it will manage your money for you. Long gone are the days of, "as long as I got a check book, I got money" You can't say that with a debit card. I know some people like to feel long hard cash in their hands, so did I at one time, but I've gotten use to having it and it works the same as a credit card, it's secured and everything. The only difference is, I don't pay interest on it when I use the card, Why? because the money I use is mine, not the financial institution. I love it man!!
Yes, you can have your SSI payment deposited to the Direct Express card. I don't pay any fees because I go to the bank I do business with and withdraw the money. I also use my card to go shopping with and I press debit and it asks me if I want money back. This is how I get around not paying any fees. And when you go to the ATM machines they charge $2.50 or more. So this card has been good for me the pass 9 months.
Hi Brian, I seemed to lost you on the point you made: What do you mean by DX? Are you saying that go back to the old way prior to ATM's and draw out just from the Bank Tellers instead?
ROMMIE
Rommie,
Yeah, the ATM will hit you with a fee, but when I go inside the bank (HSBC or Chase in my area) after I explained what my card was for (VA Disability check) I just swipe it at the teller, enter my pin and boom, hassle free dollars with no fee. ANd DX was my lazy way of typing Direct Express.
I am suspect of the hidden fees that come with this debit card program. Why can’t the VA negotiate a nationwide fee and pick up the tab so that the debit cards are TOTALLY FREE. Vets unable to maintain banking accounts should not be penalized by exorbitant check cashing fees or banking fees. Corporate profit does not have to always rule the day.
we dont mind the direct deposit we prefer it. we do mind the wait for the compensation money, because now we really need it or we will not have a place to live next month or pay this months utilities. it's been over a year we've been calling at first every two weeks now for the last 3 months we've been calling twice a week but still no notification or money.psssst
You know if you take all your money out in cash, no-one but yourself will know what and where you are spending. I really don’t like big banks using my money, and small town banks know everything. I think I might like this idea. I would rather buy money orders for a dollar then have people stealing my routing and debit numbers from banks.
The benefits does not outweigh the costs of the outrageous fees. As usual, some slick talking lobbyist dropped some big coins into the pockets of our politicians and VA top brass and got them to go for it…. This is just another rip-off scheme where someone else keeps the vets monies…. this is out-of-whack…. don't do it….. 1SG
Hey Jay…..you don't have to pay fees. I don't. Use the free ATMs and get cash back when you buy stuff at the grocery store or drug store. Doesn't cost a dime. Give it a try, this card is cool dude.
I have had Direct Express for a couple of years for social security. Their customer service is terrible. I am going to Direct Deposit with a bank since I can have it. I already have my VA Disability going to a Credit Union. If you are someone who can't get an account with a bank, credit unions are easier.
JUST ANOTHER ERROSION OF OUR BENEFITS ! WE SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND THE BANKING INDUSTRY PROFITS FROM OUR SACRIFICES !
The Government burden us to bail the banks insurance stock market out bastards gave themselves bonuses vacations etc now veterans are next to be shafted screw them all like I told the VA ASSHOLES when they asked me at a CP hearing well Mr Veteran what do you expect from us I told them keep your f_cking money my plot at Arlington just give me 200acres in the mountains and leave me the F_CK alone they replied we can't do that we did not sacrifice our lives for co-operate america one pissed Nam GRUNT
The government only can do what people let them do. If some ******** want to go the way the liars in the White House dedictate to you than why keep talking about it. Do something about it just like they did us when they drafted us to go and fight in this damn war back in the 1960′s based upon lies to benefit the Politicians and their family not ours. Their crookness and evilness to jump when they tell you to jump when things isn’t going right for them. Than they come up with more scrams and fraud to continue disrespecting and lying to the Vets more and more. When is a man going to stand up to be a man instead of a pair of pants as a follower instead of a leader to STOP this bullsit of dedicatership of FOOLS who believe that there isn’t no other CHOICE but to just quit and retreat as a punk when things get to hot. Stand up and fight for what is right for yourself. No, I don’t believe in this Debit Card ******** and if other people are happy with it than let them be happy with it and if others isn’t happy with it DON’T do it tell them to kiss your *** because they need us for this change and if Fools is scare and feel they won’t pay you your money just fight until no one is standing just like they did my people of Indians when your lying *** came to this country to kill off all of the Indians so the same need to be did back to you for the **** you create to people of color. The WWII Vets who are not with this ******** from the past knew how the Banks and Politicans back in the 20′s stole everybody MONEY and lie and fool the people and its no different from today. History only repeat itself and fools keep going along with fools in power who don’t know their *** from a hole in the ground.
Apparently, there's no reason to even touch real money anymore. Might as well have a Grain Dole like the Ancient Romans used and skip the debit card altogether.
well as usual the government wants one more handle on us . They seem to think that we dont know whats good for our own selves. i would suggest they learn what we diod as young men. That is , to "walk softly " there are truly bears in these here woods>
I've been trying to get my VA compensation on my debt card for over a year with no luck. The idiots at 1800-827-1000 are rude, keep wanting my bank account when I told them I wanted my money on the debt card. Most of them don't know what the Direct Express card is. I told them to keep sending my check to my home, tired of dealing with these bozos.
Can this CARD be garnished or frozen like a bank account can? If someone defualted on a Student Loan? They can take your Bank account
Can this card be ATTACHED-Frozen or Garnished like a Bank account can. or is it considered Cash and therefore immune from these things?
the banking system should not have anything to do with the Vet money only if he give the banking the OK. I am so sick of the Gov got their hand in every part of our life. The bank did not go and fight for us during the War. It a another way for the Gov to control your money.
Need Vetrans ID Card for bank benifits at Chase Bank. Urgent request!
need Veterans ID Card for my Chase Bank benifits.
why did i get two deposits into my checking acct for jan. 2012