Debit card makes receiving child support payments easier

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott made things a little easier last week for parents who receive child support payments.

Under the Texas Debit Card Program, parents can receive child support money on a VISA debit card without even having a bank account.

“The Office of Attorney General is committed to efficiently and effectively delivering much needed child support to Texas parents,” Abbott said in a prepared statement

“Thanks to the Texas Debit Card Program, parents need to not worry about lost or stolen checks or wonder if a deposit has cleared.”

Under the program, parents receiving child support payments may quickly do so using a Visa Debit Card at grocery stores and other merchant locations.

Cash withdrawals can be made at ATM machines on the VISA or PLUS networks for a small withdrawal fee.

Deedee Cowa, public information officer for the attorney general’s office, said 1.5 million child support payments are made each year in Texas, and more than 200,000 parents already have the Texas Debit Card.

“Parents should take advantage of the card,” Cowa said. “A lot of parents don’t have bank accounts, so they get a fee every time they cash a check. With the card you don’t get a fee.”

For questions or to enroll in the program, call (866) 729-6159.