Stimulus on a debit card? The weird way some some are getting money

Have you been waiting for your second stimulus check? Don’t worry, second stimulus checks have officially arrived! And no, not all of them are in cash. It’s time the IRS introduces the U.S. to their new stimulus debit card!

Second stimulus check

Kiplinger reported that over 100 million Americans have already received their second stimulus check of $600. The new stimulus check is part of the COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020.

The recent stimulus check is the second round of payments to U.S. citizens & residents. Due to recent restrictions, many people haven’t had a chance to go back to work. These checks are available to be collected in a safe way during COVID-19.

How to get your stimulus check

The IRS have sent American citizens & residents a debit card! These prepaid debit cards have been sent through the mail, and are called EIP (Economic Impact Payment) cards which will only go to those who don’t have any bank information under the IRS. If the IRS has this info, they just send you a direct deposit to your bank account. You can read more on IncomeHolic. 

Per Kiplinger, the EIP cards are going to American citizens & residents nationwide including the District of Columbia. However, those within the western part of the United States are actually more likely to receive an EIP card. If you don’t receive an EIP card, or don’t get the $600 directly deposited to you, then you can head to the IRS’s website to find out where your $600 is, or if you’re getting $600 at all.

Do you pay a fee? 

Experts advise those who receive their second stimulus payment through the IRS’s debit card to transfer all the money immediately to their personal bank account. CNN reported that if you received your stimulus payment through the debit card, you can transfer the money with no charge to any personal account with the limit of $2,500 per day. 

If you would like to transfer the second stimulus check to your bank account, you can go to the EIP card website or through IRS’s Money Network application.

Paying with the debit card

According to the EIP card website, you can actually shop anywhere using the debit card whether you’re in a store, online, or via your mobile. You can also pay your bills using the debit card, and even get cash back if you are at the register with a PIN debit purchase. The website allows you to check your statement, and provides a help line if needed. 

Since the visa debit card can be used without a fee, you can also get a surcharge-free at any in-network ATM. If you’re uncertain about which ATM, you can use the ATM locator on the EIP website. 

EIP & ATMs

With the information from the EIP card website, you can receive up to $1,000 per day, but it’s crucial to use the right ATM to avoid fees. If you use an ATM that’s not from your bank or credit union, there will most likely be a surcharge or two, same as when you withdraw money from a different ATM. If you use the debit card through an AllPoint network, getting your money will be surcharge-free! 

However, if you use the Metabank, you’ll get stung with a $2 fee every time you draw from the EIP card as it will go through the Treasury Department. If you use the card outside the U.S., a fee of $3 or higher will be charged from the ATM. Choose wisely! 

Another tip to remember, don’t check your balance using Metabank. There are alternative ways to checking your stimulus payment as Metabank will charge you at least 25 cents. 

To check if your second stimulus check is on its way via the debit card, try using the EIP card website or call their customer service number. 

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Do you think this is a more efficient way of payment? Let us know in the comments below.