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Direct Express®

Direct Express®

The Direct Express® Debit Mastercard® card is a way to get your federal benefits, even if you do not have a bank account. No need to cash a check or carry cash. No credit check to get the card. No need to keep a minimum balance on the card.

Federal benefit payments, such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans, are required to receive your payment electronically. You must either have the money deposited directly to a bank or credit union account or get your money each month on a DirectExpress® prepaid debit card.

If you do not have a bank account, the FDIC website offers information to help you open an account online or at a local bank branch.

Visit the Direct Express site See Our Child Tax Credit Payments Faqs Direct Express FASP

How does the Direct Express® card work?

Each month, your money is automatically deposited to your Direct Express® card account on your payment date. You can go to any bank, credit union, or ATM that shows the Mastercard® logo, even if you do not have a bank account.

  • buy from any place that accepts debit card payments
  • get cash from any ATM, bank, or credit union that shows the Mastercard® logo
  • pay your bills online or over the phone

How Do I Get My Direct Express® card?

Contact our Enrollment Center between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, Monday thru Friday.

Call 800-333-1795 or enroll online at https://www.godirect.gov/gpw/enrollment

Benefits of the Direct Express® card

No need to have a bank account or carry cash

You get your money on time, every month

No need to worry about checks

Safe & Secure

The Direct Express® card is very safe.

  • The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures your money up to the maximum that the law allows.
  • You get a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you use at ATMs, online, and in stores.
  • You choose the PIN when you activate your card. Your PIN is a four-digit number that you enter on the keypad at ATMs and retail locations when you use your card.
  • If your card is lost or stolen, it will be replaced by Direct Express customer service

No Cost and No Fees

For most of the ways you will use the card, there are no fees.

  • No cost to sign up
  • No monthly fees or overdraft fees
  • No fee to use the card wherever Mastercard® is accepted
  • No fee to get extra cash back with purchases
  • No fee to get cash from a bank or credit union
  • One free ATM cash withdrawal for each deposit posted to your card account each month. (If you use an ATM that is not part of the Direct Express® network, the bank or credit union that owns that ATM may charge a fee.)

Even More Benefits

You also get these services for free:

  • Find out how much money you have left on your card
  • Get a message when money is deposited to your card
  • Get a message when your balance falls below a certain amount
  • Get help whenever you need it by phone or online
  • Download the DX® Mobile App for free

A few other services you may choose to use with your card do have small fees. For information about these other services and what they cost, visit Direct Express FAQs.

Fiscal Service Financial Agent Selection Process (FASP) for the Direct Express Program Closed February 26, 2024

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service Financial Agent Selection Process (FASP) for the Direct Express Program closed on February 26, 2024, which was the deadline for all applications to be submitted. The process is in the selection phase and we'll provide an update when the FASP is complete.

For media inquiries, please contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Legislative and Public Affairs Office at (202)504-3535 or media.relations@fiscal.treasury.gov.



Contact Direct Express®

If you have questions or need assistance with your Direct Express® card, contact Direct Express® customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling the number on the back of your card. Call 1-888-741-1115 if your card starts with 5332 or, call 886-606-3311 if your card starts with 5115.

For card account information, visit directexpress.com

Direct Express® and the Direct Express® logo are registered marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

The Comerica Bank issues the DirectExpress® Debit Mastercard® under a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard® and the Mastercard® Brand Mark are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Last modified 07/15/24