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The State of Oklahoma is preparing to implement the new Oklahoma debit cards program.
The Department of Human Services’ child support and TANF clients will be able to access information about their benefits online using this new card.
This site will allow you to check your card balance, view the transactions you have made with your card and access informative documents about the debit card program.
All parents receiving child support payments and all TANF recipients will be receiving more details about his program in the coming months.
You will want to bookmark this site so you can check back for program updates, review your card account activity, to locate ATMs and to review information about the program.
Today you can click on the “Program Material” button below for Frequently Asked Questions which will give you more information about this program.
Watch your mail for additional information, which will be sent to you directly, regarding this new program.
Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the OKDHS Debit Card? Child support payments are transferred electronically into an account from which you can access your money at over 2,900 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Oklahoma. In addition, the card will be one of the most recognizable brands, allowing you to make purchases wherever the card is accepted, which is over 53,000 merchants. This card is a debit card not a credit card; you will be using your own money from child support payments deposited on your behalf. 2. What choice is best for me? The best choice for you depends on your situation; the choice is entirely up to you. Both direct deposit and the debit card provide many of the same benefits. There are no checks to get lost or stolen, the money is available to you as soon as it is deposited, and your payments will not be interrupted if you move. One important consideration is cost. There are no charges or fees for receiving your funds by direct deposit; however, you will need to open a bank account to do so. Normal banking charges may apply so check with your bank. The debit card is offered by OKDHS in partnership with Affiliated Computer Services. Some ATM withdrawals will be provided free with the card but there may be some ATM and other transaction fees charged when using the debit card. These fees will be described in full to you in a mailing to all Oklahoma custodial parents and tips on how to use the card without fees will be provided with your card. 3. How can the OKDHS Debit Card be used? • To make purchases • Access to your money through Automated Teller Machines(ATM's), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week • To get cash back from merchants • To pay bills, and for online, phone, and mail orders The amount of purchases or cash withdrawals is automatically deducted from the available funds on the card. Upon request you may also obtain a free 60 day report on your account activity and you can always access all your account information on-line without ever incurring any charges. 4. Will the card say anything about child support? No. There is nothing on the card itself to indicate that the funds associated with the card are child support payments. The card has the word "Oklahoma" across the front and will look like a standard debit card, which resemble credit cards. 5. My credit is bad. Can I still sign up for the Debit Card? Yes. While the debit card looks like a credit card, it is not a credit card, and your credit rating has no effect on your ability to receive the debit card. As part of its agreement with OKDHS, Affiliated Computer Services will not deny a card based on a customer's credit history. 6. Can I sign up for direct deposit after I have received the debit card? Yes. You may enroll in direct deposit at any time. 7. How do I know if a child support payment has been disbursed to me from OKDHS? Check your account through this website, or contact our automated Voice Response System (VRS) at Affiliated Computer Services to find out if a payment has been posted to your debit card. You may also sign-up to be notified via e-mail, telephone or mail for deposit notification in March 2007. 8. When will my money be available on my Debit Card? Money should be available for your use by the third business day from when we receive the payment. Please note, however, that OKDHS's customer service staff will not be able to help you with questions related to the availability of funds on your card; those questions will be directed to a new toll free customer services number provided by Affiliated Computer Services. The new number will be delivered with your card and will be available 24 hours a day seven days a week. 9. How do I know if money is available on my Debit Card? To find out if a payment was deposited into your debit card account or to find out your card account balance, you can access your account online at this website or call the Affiliated Computer Services Customer Services Bureau toll-free any time, day or night. 10. Does a cardholder have to use a specific bank to obtain cash? No. Cash can be obtained without any fees over the counter at any of the nearly 800 banks or credit unions in Oklahoma that accepts your card. You can also get cash back without any fees on purchases at millions of locations that accept your brand of debit card, including retail stores, gas stations, restaurants and more. 11. Does the customer get a new card every time a payment is due? No. All future child support payments will be automatically deposited to the same initial card received. If the card is ever lost or stolen, a new card will be sent but there is a $4.00 replacement cost. Subsequent payments will automatically go to the new card along with any remaining balance on the old card at the time the previous card is reported as lost or stolen. 12. What do I need to do once I receive the debit card? After receiving the card in the mail, you must call the number provided on the card to activate it. At the time of activation, the customer must choose their PIN number. These details will be provided with the card when it is mailed to you. 13. Who can the customer contact if they have questions about their card? For questions about child support payments, amounts collected, etc., the customer should contact Child Support Customer Services at 1-800-522-2922. For questions about the card, the customer should contact Affiliated Computer Services, the customer services number will be provided with the card when mailed to you. 14. Is the cardholder able to make deposits to the card? No. Only the State can make deposits to the card. 15. Can the cardholder request a second card for another individual such as a family member? Yes. You may contact the Affiliated Computer Services Customer Services Bureau to request a secondary card. All applicable fees apply. 16. Can the card be used by someone other than the person whose name appears on the card? No. For security reasons, cardholders should never share their PIN or allow anyone else to use their card. 17. What happens if a cardholder no longer receives child support payments or decides to switch to direct deposit? The cardholder must expend any remaining funds on the card. At that point the cardholder can request that we close the card account. 18. Can the debit card be overdrawn? Usually the cardholder can only use up to the amount of funds available on the card. However, under certain circumstances the card can become overdrawn. If the card is overdrawn, the cardholder is subject to applicable fees and repayment of any amount overdrawn. 19. Can the state view or track individual cardholder transactions? No. For privacy reasons, the state will not have access any cardholder transaction or balance information. |
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