I recently received a letter from DHR regarding the switch from paper checks to pre-paid debit cards. I am writing you to encourage DHR/State of Alabama to consider adding another method of payment for child support recipients to choose from, in addition to the prepaid cards.
I understand the high cost of mailing out check, after check to child support recipients, whether the checks are cut monthly, or weekly. I ask you to also consider the inconvenience a pre-paid MasterCard will cause some (if not all) child support recipients. MasterCard is not accepted at many retailers (Dollar General, etc) I cannot speak on the behalf of all daycare centers, however the three different daycares my daughter has been enrolled in since her birth, did not accept cards of any kind as a method of payment. Which, in my situation, I apply the child support funds I receive to this major reoccurring expense. The credit union I bank with does not accept MasterCards for cash advances, so this money would not be available to transfer directly into my account. I would have to use an ATM, incur a bank fee, and withdraw a maximum of $300.00 a day, and would still have money left over on the card, since odd amounts cannot be withdrawn from an ATM. Another inconvenience of a pre-paid card is that many vendors charge a fee for paying with a debit/credit card instead of paying by check. Not to mention, having to also balance a pre-paid card in addition to balancing a check book is a real nuisance.
I do understand for those recipients that do not have a checking or savings account; a pre-paid card could be beneficial. However, implementing a direct deposit option would be beneficial for those who do have checking/savings accounts. The Alabama Central Disbursement Division offers both direct deposit and pre-paid cards to its recipients. Even if a small service fee (ex. $1.50) was charged per deposit, to have direct deposit in lieu of a pre-paid card, I would rather pay that fee and have the funds deposited directly to my account, instead of deal with repeat ATM and vendor fees from the pre-paid debit card.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

$1.50 for each successful ATM cash withdrawal at MoneyPass ATMs after free is used.
$1.50 for each successful ATM cash withdrawal at ATMs other than MoneyPass ATMs.
$0.40 for each ATM balance inquiry after free is used.

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View EPPICARD.com, and select "Alabama" credit card image, for a list of fee's Child Support Recipients will be charged to withdraw their child support.

https://www.eppicard.com/aledcclient/setupPortal.recip