How to Get a Social Security Debit Card

In the past, the Federal government mailed checks to recipients of Social Security benefits, Social Security Supplemental income and other types of Federal checks to the home address of the recipient. Advances in the banking industry recently allowed those who received checks to have the funds directly deposited in their accounts. The Social Security has now introduced a debit card available to those that don't have a bank account.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide if you are eligible. The program is for those individuals who receive government benefit checks from the Social Security Administration but who don't have a bank account. Those that have bank accounts have the option to elect direct deposit of their monthly check into their bank accounts.
2. Determine if you are willing to accept the limitations of the program. The debit card program is a special account set up for you to hold your Social Security benefits. This account has a debit card issued to the owner of the account that allows the owner to make withdrawals at ATM machines and use the card at point of sale locations to purchase all kinds of items. There are fees associated with the use of the card. The owner can withdraw funds free once per month. Any further withdrawals will be billed per transaction. The card may give you quicker access to your money but will also cost you to use it more than once a month.
3. Call the local Social Security office to request your card if you can live with the limitations. Ask to sign up for the Benefit Security Card program. They can process the request to have a card issued in your name and sent to you. After the issuance of the card, direct deposit will transfer your funds to the card's account at the bank overseeing this program.