The COVID aid "check" can be a card, get to know it | The State

The “checks” are already on the way.

We have agreed to call the money that the State grants aid during the COVID pandemic a “check” for making it shorter, but in reality most of those who have filed their taxes with direct deposit will receive the money, a maximum of $ 600 per taxpayer and $ 600 more if there is a child under 17, in your bank account directly.

But you can also receive a check or a prepaid card. The IRS estimates that about eight million people could receive a so-called Economic Impact Payment, on a Visa card, in which case it’s good to know how it works, because it can cost you money.

First of all, pay attention to the mail because you may not distinguish the envelope from the many that may arrive with marketing messages. The card is a Visa issued by MetaBank and when you receive it you have to activate it using the telephone number indicated in the communication and creating a secure four-digit pin.

You have to sign it and know the following:

• If you have thrown it or lost it, you can claim it. Call 1-800-240-8100 where they will deactivate your card and send you another one free. If you lose it twice they will start charging you a commission. If your name is misspelled, you can also call that same phone number.
• The funds are provided by the State and the card cannot be reloaded. However, when you no longer have more money, do not get rid of it in case a new stimulus is approved again and you decide to recharge it. Another tip for when you want to get rid of a card, whatever it is, is to break it into many pieces. For securing your data.
• The card is non-transferable and cannot be used as a gift card.
• The funds do not expire. If the expiration date is reached and you have not used them, you can request a refund.
• For free use, you can withdraw money from an AllPoint-brand ATM with it (don’t forget your PIN). You can’t get more than $ 1,000 a day.
• You can make purchases at stores and service locations (physical and online) that accept Visa. Also, you can get more money, if you have funds, with the option to cash back in a supermarket which is like taking money from the ATM but without penalty. There is no quantity limit, although normally these limits are the responsibility of the merchant and are not high.
• You can deposit the money in your bank account. Ask your branch for instructions on a transfer from the Automated Clearing House or ACH in its acronym in English. There is a limit on the amount that can be transferred per day, $ 2,500. Per transaction is the same amount and cannot exceed $ 5,000 per month.
• You can also request money through the card at the bank branch. It’s free the first time and you can ask for up to $ 2,500, then it costs you $ 5 for each time.
• Know that it can cost you money in fees to do some transactions. For example: If you use an ATM that is not AllPoint it may cost you $ 2 in addition to what the ATM itself charges. In the event that the withdrawal is an international ATM, a commission of $ 3 will be applied and the beneficiary will have to bear the cost of the currency exchange.
• Checking the balance at the national and international ATM, even if it is from the network, costs $ 0.25. To be free you have to do it through an application, Money network, online or by phone).