New Debit Card Simplifies Child Support Payments

In the past, child support was typically paid by way of paper checks, usually mailed from the payer to the recipient. Then, direct deposit became available and child support funds could be deposited electronically directly into the bank account of the recipient. For example, if the payer’s wages are garnished, those funds are then wire transferred to the recipient’s account.

Now, New York has a special debit card available that allows you to have child support payments loaded directly onto a debit card. Here’s what to know about using a child support debit card on Long Island and how an experienced divorce and family law attorney can provide you with assistance.

The New York Child Support Debit Card by Bank of America

The official card for child support payments on Long Island is the New York Child Support Debit Card, which is available through the Bank of America. Proponents of using child support debit cards versus direct deposits or paper checks suggest that debit cards are faster, easier, and more secure than any other previous way of facilitating child support payments.

This card is accepted anywhere you can use a regular Mastercard, and it is not readily identifiable as a child support debit card. You can make purchases with your child support money at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, doctor’s offices, and other retail stores. You can even make purchases online and get cash out of an ATM machine using the card. You can access your child support funds 24/7/365 and customer service or information about your account is available to cardholders 7 days a week.

What Are the Benefits of a Child Support Debit Card for Custodial Parents?

Custodial parents can enjoy a number of benefits by using a New York Child Support Debit Card, including but not limited to:

• Reduces the risk of a paper child support check being lost in the mail. Paper checks are becoming less popular due to the high security risks they carry.
• There are no check cashing fees associated with using a child support debit card. You don’t have to go to a bank or have a bank account to use the card.
• Custodial parents don’t have to wait a week or more to receive their child support money after it has been paid by the non-custodial parent. You have access to all funds currently on the card at any time of the day or night and on weekends and holidays.
• A debit card is harder for a dishonest person to commit fraud with than a paper child support check. You will choose a secure PIN number for your card and use it exactly the same way you would any other credit or debit card.
• Custodial parents can monitor their balance and payment history in a convenient ledger format online. You will always know what your balance is prior to using the card.
• You will receive a monthly statement detailing all activity and transactions on the debit card. This can help you track expenditures, particularly if your child’s other parent is accusing you of spending child support on things like alcohol or spa treatments.
• You may be able to automate child support payments from the payer’s bank to your debit card, or if the funds are being garnished from their wages, they are automatically deposited onto the card. This helps to prevent missed payments and the accumulation of back child support.

Do You Need to Get Help From a Long Island Child Support Attorney?

Navigating the process of setting up your New York Child Support Debit Card can be challenging for busy parents, especially if you’re also involved in getting a divorce. Working with an experienced Long Island child support lawyer can help you ensure that you get access to the child support funds owed to you if you are the custodial parent, so financially providing for your child is as easy as possible and without a needless amount of red tape to get around.

Contact Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your child support case and the potential of getting a New York Child Support Debit Card. Call now at 631-923-1910 or fill out the short form on this page.