Job & Family Services - Office of Unemployment Compensation
Office of Unemployment Compensation
  
The ReliaCard Visa Debit Card
How the ReliaCard Visa Works
Advantages to the ReliaCard Visa
Costs Associated with the ReliaCard Visa
Limits to the Way the ReliaCard Visa Is Used
Features of the ReliaCard Visa
Services that Come with the ReliaCard Visa
Getting a ReliaCard Visa

 

 

How the ReliaCard Visa Works
What is the ReliaCard Visa?
The ReliaCard Visa provides an electronic option for receiving your benefit payments. Issued by U.S. Bank, the ReliaCard Visa is a reloadable, prepaid Visa card. If requested, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will electronically deposit your unemployment compensation benefit payments onto a ReliaCard Visa of your own. This allows faster access to benefit payments.
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How does the ReliaCard Visa work?
The card may be used to make purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The card may be used to pay bills, and for on-line, phone, and mail order purchases. Cardholders can also get cash from more than one million Visa/Plus branded ATMs, or from any bank teller of a financial institution that accepts Visa (look for the Visa logo). The amounts of purchases or cash withdrawals are automatically deducted from the available balance on the card.
 
When does the ReliaCard Visa expire?
The ReliaCard Visa is good for three years. If you are eligible for benefits at any time during the three years, your benefit payments will be placed on the card. If you are still receiving benefit payments or have a balance in the account at the end of the three years, a new card will be issued to replace the old one.
 
 
Advantages to the ReliaCard Visa
What are some of the main benefits?
Some of the main benefits include:
  • It saves time – You have easy and quick access to payments without waiting in line to cash or deposit a check.
  • It’s convenient – You can withdraw cash at ATMs 24 hours a day and make purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and pharmacies.
  • It’s secure – There is no need to carry large amounts of cash.
    It saves money – It reduces check-cashing and money order fees.
  • It tracks spending – You have access to free account information and customer service 24 hours a day.
  • Users have Visa benefits – Enjoy the prestige and purchase protection given to Visa-branded cardholders without a credit check.
  • It’s reliable – You receive payments on time—no lost or stolen checks.
  • It’s easy – There’s no minimum balance required to open or maintain the card.
  • It’s safe – All funds are protected by the Visa Zero Liability Policy and are FDIC insured.
 
Costs associated with the ReliaCard Visa
Can I use my card without incurring fees?
Yes. The following activities will not incur fees:
  • Using your ReliaCard Visa to make purchases at any merchant who accepts Visa debit cards
  • Getting cash back with your purchases at participating Interlink merchants
  • Making cash withdrawals from U.S. Bank ATMs or from the teller of a financial institution that accepts Visa
  • Requesting a replacement card (standard of three to five business days)
What fees are associated with using this card?
When you receive your card, you will receive a list of fees that apply to the card. They include:
  • A $1.50 fee for each ATM transaction from a non-U.S. Bank ATM
  • A possible non-U.S. Bank fee for each transaction dependant on branch owner policies
  • A rush delivery of a replacement card is $10, with the card arriving in two to three business days. A standard card replacement (three to five days) is free
  • An overdraft fee of $17.00 per transaction will be assessed if the card becomes overdrawn. As a one-time courtesy, however, U.S. Bank may reverse the overdraft fee if you call ReliaCard Visa customer service at 1-866-276-5114 to discuss how the account became overdrawn
  • For each account inactive for 360 consecutive days, a fee of $1.50 per month charged against the remaining balance until the balance is $0.00, or the account becomes active again
  • Performing an inquiry to your balance, however, will keep your account active without fees
Are there fees for tracking my balance?
Each month you will receive a free printed statement which shows all card activity for the past month and your account balance. You may also check the account balance free of charge, 24 hours a day, by going online to reliacard.com or by calling ReliaCard Visa customer service at 1-866-276-5114. If you perform a balance inquiry at a non-U.S. Bank ATM, you may be charged a fee by the ATM owner even if you do not perform a transaction.
 
Is there a fee for using this card to purchase goods at a store?
No. These transactions are called Point-of-Sale (POS) transactions. When using the ReliaCard Visa to make purchases, there is no fee associated with it. The card works like a Visa debit card, except that it is paying the merchant from the amount stored on your card. Also, at participating Interlink merchants you can request cash back without paying a fee.
 
Do I have to pay ATM fees?
U.S. Bank will not charge a fee for withdrawals made from U.S. Bank ATMs. For withdrawals from non-U.S. Bank ATMs, U.S. Bank will charge a service fee of $1.50. If using a non-U.S. Bank ATM, the owner of that ATM may charge an additional fee. These surcharge fees vary depending on the bank that owns the machine. The ATM will notify you of the surcharge fee and allow you to cancel the transaction prior to being charged the fee.
 
 
Limits to the Way the ReliaCard Visa Is Used
Can the ReliaCard Visa be overdrawn?
It is possible to overdraw the card in some situations. To avoid this, be sure to track your balance carefully. Check your balance free of charge by going online to reliacard.com, by calling 1-866-276-5114, or by performing a balance inquiry at an ATM. Keeping track of your available balance should prevent excessive withdrawals.
 
Can the state view or track my transactions?
No. For privacy reasons, U.S. Bank does not share card account numbers or transaction details. For reconciliation purposes, however, the state does have access to the amount and date of deposits to individual cards.
 
Is there a daily maximum amount I can take from my ReliaCard Visa account?
In order to lessen the risk of loss due to fraud or theft, U.S. Bank places daily transaction and dollar volume limits on the card. If you need to withdraw a large sum of money, make a withdrawal from a teller window at any bank or credit union that processes Visa transactions. The maximum amount allowed will be sufficient to withdraw your entire balance. When using the ReliaCard Visa at a merchant location to receive cash back, the merchant may have a maximum amount that you can request.
 
Must I go to a U.S. Bank ATM or U.S. Bank branch to get cash?
No. You can obtain cash from any of the more than one million Visa/PLUS-branded ATMs throughout the world or over the counter at any bank or credit union that accepts Visa. You can also get cash back on purchases made at Interlink merchants throughout the United States, such as grocery and discount stores. Note: To identify an Interlink merchant, simply match the Interlink logo on the back of the card to the logo displayed on the merchant's door or at the checkout counter.
 
What if I decide to switch my direct deposit from the ReliaCard Visa to a checking/savings account?
Simply contact your ODJFS processing center to request that the direct deposit payments be changed. Continue to use the card until you have used the remaining balance.
 
 
Features of the ReliaCard Visa
When using an ATM to withdraw funds, which selection (checking, savings, or credit card) do I choose?
You should select "checking" when making a withdrawal at an ATM.
 
Will I be able to add other funds to my card, in addition to what ODJFS puts on it?
No, only the state can deposit funds to the card.
 
Will I earn interest on the funds in my ReliaCard Visa account?
No. The account does not earn interest.
 
Will I receive a monthly paper statement in the mail?
Yes. You may also view the current transaction history and past statements on-line at reliacard.com. To ensure that your monthly statement is sent to the correct address, please contact ReliaCard Visa customer service at 1-866-276-5114 to report any address change. If you do not want to receive paper statements, while on-line select the option to receive statements electronically.
 
How can I check the available balance on my card?
You can obtain your current available balance in three ways:
  • View your account on-line at reliacard.com
  • Call the toll-free customer service number on the back of the card
  • Do a balance inquiry at an ATM (if non-U.S. Bank ATM, a fee may be charged)
Can I view my account on-line?
Yes. View your account activity on-line at reliacard.com, a secure web site.
You can perform the following functions on-line:
  • Change your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
  • Perform a balance inquiry
  • View your current month's transactions
  • View previous statements for the last 12 months
Do I need special software to view my account on-line?
You can view account activity on-line with any of the following browsers:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later
  • Netscape 4.72 or later
  • AOL 5.0 or later
Must I have a PIN to use the card?
No PIN is needed to make Point-of-Sale (POS) signature-based purchases, but you may need to show ID. You must use a PIN for cash withdrawals at ATMs. You choose your own PIN when you receive your card. For security reasons, it is important that you pick a PIN that only you would know. Do not share your PIN or the card with anyone. You should never write your PIN on your card. 
 
What should I do if I forget my PIN?
Call the customer service number on the back of your card. ODJFS does not have access to your PIN. PIN issues must go through ReliaCard Visa customer service.
 
What happens if the card is lost or stolen?
Call the toll-free ReliaCard Visa customer service number, 1-866-276-5114, to report a lost or stolen card. A new card will be issued and any remaining balance will be transferred to the new card. If you report the missing card immediately and have not compromised your PIN, you will not be responsible for any confirmed fraudulent activity that occurs on your card.
 
How do I get my name or address changed on this account?
Call ReliaCard Visa customer service at 1-866-276-5114 to change the address on the account. Don't forget to also contact ODJFS at 1-877-644-6562.
 
Can someone other than the person whose name is on it use the card?
For security reasons, you should never share your PIN or allow anyone else to use your card.
 
Can I use the card to build a credit history?
No. The card does not help establish credit history as no credit check is required to receive the card. The card is not tied to a bank account or a credit line.
 
 
Services that Come with the ReliaCard Visa
Whom do I contact if I have questions about my card?
For questions about your payments, such as when you will receive the next deposit to the card, or the amount of a deposit to the card, contact ODJFS. For all other questions about the card, you may contact ReliaCard Visa customer service 24 hours a day toll-free at 1-866-276-5114. This number is on the back of the card.
 
What services does ReliaCard Visa 24-hour customer service provide?
You can perform the following services by calling ReliaCard Visa customer service toll free at 1-866-276-5114:
  • Activate the card
  • Choose/change your PIN
  • Perform a balance inquiry
  • Review recent transaction history, including deposits
  • Report card lost or stolen and have it reissued
  • Speak directly to a representative if additional assistance is needed
Can I contact my local bank for customer service on my ReliaCard Visa account?
No. You must direct all of your ReliaCard Visa questions to the toll-free customer service line. You may also utilize the web site http://www.reliacard.com for inquiries.
 
 
Getting a ReliaCard Visa
How do I sign up for a ReliaCard Visa?
You sign up for a ReliaCard by simply choosing the Benefit Payment Debit Card option when submitting your unemployment compensation claim. You don't need to be an existing customer of U.S. Bank or any other financial institution. You don’t need approval or a credit check.
 
Can I request a second card for another individual, such as a family member?
No. Only the person approved for unemployment compensation benefit payments will receive a card.
 
When the card is sent in the mail, what does the envelope look like?
For security reasons, the card will arrive in a plain, white, windowed envelope with a Fargo, North Dakota (ND) return address.
 
What information or instructions come with the card?
The card comes with:
  • Instructions on how to activate the card
  • The cardholder agreement, which discloses fees and all terms and conditions
  • A Welcome brochure, detailing where and how the card can be used
  • The U.S. Bank privacy pledge
  • A Visa Purchase Security Guide to Benefits
What do I do after I receive the card?
After receiving the card in the mail, you must call ReliaCard Visa customer service at 1-866-276-5114 to activate the card and choose your PIN. You cannot use the card until it has been activated. Cash withdrawals at ATMs require use of your PIN. Again, for security reasons, it is important that you pick a PIN that only you would know. Do not share your PIN or the card with anyone or write your PIN on your card.