Visa Government Prepaid cards are a convenient way to receive your government benefits or payments. Visa Government Prepaid cards are prepaid cards that can be used at millions of locations where Visa Debit cards are accepted. Your government benefits or payments go directly to your card – this eliminates the inconvenience of having to cash a check or complete additional steps to get your money. And just like a debit card, each time the card is used, the purchase amount is automatically deducted from the card balance.

Visa Government Prepaid cards provide you with shopping flexibility, choice, convenience and immediate easy use. They work like all other Visa Debit cards, so you can purchase what you need, anywhere Visa Debit cards are accepted. Shop or pay bills on line or by phone, or get cash at more than 1 million ATMs worldwide¹. You also get protection against lost or stolen cards and unauthorized purchases with the Visa Zero Liability policy².

Usually, yes. Please review the materials that came with your card for details. The activation process varies, depending on the provider that issued your card.

If you want to withdraw cash at ATMs, or get cash back from merchants who offer the service, you’ll need a PIN number. See your card provider’s information for instructions on getting a PIN or call them. Their contact information can usually be found on the back of your card. Then, to get cash, simply go to an ATM, insert your card, select “checking” to make a withdrawal, and enter the amount of cash you want. To get cash back when making a purchase, swipe your card, enter your PIN, choose the “Debit” button, then select the cash back amount from the screen options³.

You can check the card balance at your card provider’s web site or by calling them directly. Keeping track of your balance is a great way to manage your money and know how much you have to spend. The provider issuing your card may also allow you to check your balance at ATMs or other locations. Contact your specific provider to learn about the balance-checking options they offer.

Many merchants cannot access the balance on the card, so it is important that you know the balance before you shop. If you try to purchase something that exceeds the value on the card, the transaction will be declined. However, you may choose to cover the difference with a second payment method. To use two payment methods, tell the cashier in advance how much to deduct from the Visa Government Prepaid card and how much will be covered through the second payment method.

Some transactions are handled differently, so please keep the following scenarios in mind.

Gas Stations – Paying at the pump may cause a hold of up to $75; consider paying inside with the attendant for the exact amount and signing the receipt instead.

Restaurants – Restaurants may verify if you have enough money on your card for the dining bill, but you should also make sure you have enough for any added tip.

Hotels – Hotels may put a “hold” on the amount of your estimated bill, making that amount unavailable for other purchases. When you check out, that hold may take a few days to be removed.

Auto Rentals – You may use your card for final payment of a rental car bill, but a credit card may be necessary to reserve a rental car.

Returning Purchases – Store return policies may vary. You may receive a credit to your card, a cash refund or even a store credit, depending on the particular store. A credit to your account may take up to one week to process before it’s available for use.

Paying Bills – You can use your card to pay just about any bill.

If a transaction is declined, the merchant will let you know. To help prevent this, keep track of your balance by visiting the web site or phone number provided with your card.

If the merchant cancels a transaction at your request, it may take three to seven days for the authorization hold to be removed from your card. Contact your provider for specific details about authorization holds.

You can make purchases using your Visa Government Prepaid card until the expiration date shown on the card, or until the value of the card has been depleted. If you continue to receive government disbursements, you may receive more money on the card. So keep your card as long as you are receiving benefits, even if the balance on your card has been depleted.