I got a Direct Express card in the mail - Direct Express Card Help

If you got a direct express card in the mail and did not sign up for it, here are the possible reasons why.

First, if you receive federal benefits like Social Security, VA benefits, or Disability and are still receiving your payments by paper check, you are required by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to switch to electronic payments.

If you have not made the switch to electronic payments on your own – which means having the money deposited into a bank account, the government will make the switch for you, by signing you up for Direct Express Account.

Similarly, if you have recently been approved for federal benefits like Social Security or Disability benefits, this may be why.

If you have not signed up to receive your new monthly payments by electronic deposit, then you will be enrolled into Direct Express and will be receiving your benefit payment through a Direct Express electronic account.

You will receive a letter from Direct Express with details.

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The short video below explains why you may have received a letter from Direct Express with a card.

Table of Contents:

What is the Direct Express Account?
Direct Express Fees

What is the Direct Express Account?

The Direct Express card is a Treasury Department recommended card which is an option for federal benefit recipients who don’t have a bank or credit union account.

It is a prepaid card and acts like a bank debit card. Cardholders can make purchases at stores that accept Debit MasterCard, pay bills, purchase money orders from the U.S Post Office.

In addition, you can get cash from an ATM or financial institution that displays the MasterCard acceptance mark. No bank account or credit check is required to enroll.

There are no sign-up fees or monthly account fees. Many other card services are free.

Direct Express Fees

Like all prepaid cards, the Direct Express card comes with some fees. However, there is a big difference.

While traditional prepaid cards come with a lot of fees, with the Direct Express Card, most transactions are free.

As you will see on the fee schedule below, you rarely pay any fees when using the Direct Express prepaid card and when you do, the fees are low and reasonable.

Direct Express card in the mail Summary

Call Direct Express at the number below to learn more about the card you received and activate the card if you decide to receive your federal benefits through Direct Express.

Direct Express Customer Service – 1-888-741-1115

Now you know what to do about the direct express card in the mail.

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