Options for Receiving Child Support Payments
In Idaho, all child support payments are sent to Idaho Child Support Services. Child Support Services enters the payment into the official payment record and then electronically issues the payment to the custodial parent. This makes the payment available to parents very quickly and at no cost.
You may choose to have payments:
- Directly deposited into your checking or savings account; or
- Deposited into an account that you can access using the Idaho Quest® card (effective Feb. 2, 2009, Child Support Services will no longer deposit payments onto the Quest card);
- Deposited into an account that you can access using the Idaho Family Support card.
You may change the way you receive payments at any time. Read more about:
Direct deposit
Quest Card
Idaho Family Support Card
About Direct Deposit
If you have a checking or savings account, having payments deposited directly into your account may be most convenient for you. Direct deposit is available to you, even if you do not live in Idaho.
How do I sign up for direct deposit?
To sign up for direct deposit, complete the Idaho Direct Deposit Enrollment Form and submit it to your local Child Support Office. Your next child support payment will be deposited in your bank account.
What do I do if I change accounts or want to deposit into a different account?
If you change accounts, complete a new Idaho Direct Deposit Enrollment Form with the information about your new account. Do not close your old account until the change is made.
How do I know when I have received a payment?
When Child Support Services receives a payment, the payment is electronically sent to your bank the same night the payment is received. Always check with your bank to make sure the payment was deposited. Different banks have different policies about making funds available.
Child Support Services also sends a quarterly statement listing all payments posted to your account. You will receive a separate statement for each case.
Daily payment information is also available at View Payment History or by calling 1-800-356-9868.
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About the Quest® EBT Card
Effective February 2, 2009, the new Idaho Family Support Card replaces the Idaho Quest EBT card for child support payments only. Other cash benefits (TAFI, Social Security) and Food Stamps will continue to be issued to the Quest card. See “About the Idaho Family Support Card” for more information about the new Idaho Family Support Card and how it impacts your Quest card.
If you do not have a bank account, or if you want to keep child support payments separate from other money, the Quest® card is a convenient option. The Quest® card may be used:
- To make purchases or withdraw cash at stores that accept the Quest® card, or
- To withdraw cash from any ATM machine that displays the Cirrus symbol. You will be charged 85 cents for each transaction. Additional fees may be charged by the company that owns the ATM.
To receive a Quest® card, call Customer Service at 1-888-432-4328. Your Quest® card will arrive in the mail in 7-10 days. Your personal identification number (PIN) is sent to you in a separate mailing. A PIN number is a unique number assigned to you. You must use your PIN number to access your money. Do not share your PIN number with anyone.
To receive a Quest® card immediately, visit your local Child Support Services office.
How do I use the Quest® Card?
The Quest® card works like a debit card. You can make purchases or withdraw cash at stores displaying the Quest® sign. In addition, you can withdraw cash at an ATM machine that displays the Quest® sign. Make sure to remember your PIN number.
How do I Check My Quest® Card Balance?
You can find out what your balance is by:
- Checking the receipt of your last purchase or withdrawal,
- Making a balance inquiry at an ATM (no charge), Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, or
- Calling Citibank Customer Service at 1-888-432-4328.
How do I know when I have received a payment?
When Child Support Services receives a payment, it is electronically deposited into your Quest® account that night. The money is available the next morning, including weekends and holidays.
Child Support Services sends you a quarterly statement listing all payments posted to your account. You will receive a separate statement for each case.
Daily payment information is also available at View Payment History, or by calling 1-800-356-9868.
How do I Get a Quest® Card for My Spouse or Significant Other?
You both will need to visit a local Health and Welfare office to fill out a special form to receive the additional card.
What if my Quest® Card is Stolen or Used Without my Permission?
Call Citibank Customer Service immediately at 1-888-432-4328. They will send you another card and investigate any loss. Federal banking law provides insurance against loss due to unauthorized use of the Quest® card.
What if I Don’t Live in Idaho?
If you are interested in accessing your payments using a Quest® card, please contact Child Support Customer Service or your case manager. The Quest® card may be used in states other than Idaho.
What if I Move Out of Idaho?
Please contact Child Support Services before you move to discuss how future payments should be sent to you and how you can best access your existing balance.
Click here to see the Idaho Quest® Card Disclosure Statement and User Agreement.
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About the Idaho Family Support Card
Beginning February 2, 2009 there will be a new way for custodial parents to receive their child support payments: the Idaho Family Support Card (shown here).
The new Idaho Family Support Card will replace the Idaho Quest EBT card for Child Support Payments only. Cash benefits (TAFI, SS) and Food Stamps will continue to be issued on the Quest card.
Custodial parents in Idaho who receive child support and Food Stamp benefits may have two cards; one to access their child support payments and one to access their food stamp benefits. The Idaho Family Support Card provides many advantages including:
- Over 3 million locations where the card can be used – anywhere Visa is accepted.
- Statements are available online via the “MyAccount” website, or a monthly paper statement may be requested.
- No cost to get cash back at the point of making a purchase.
What is this new Idaho Family Support Card?
The Idaho Family Support Card is a new way for you to access your Child Support payments. Previously, custodial parents used the Idaho Quest EBT Card to access their child support, and were limited in how they could use the Quest card. The new card provides more flexibility, such as the ability to use the card at over 3 million locations – anywhere Visa is accepted, including stores, ATMs, banks, etc.
Does the Idaho Family Support Card replace the Idaho Quest EBT Card?
If you have a child support-only case – that is, it’s not combined with any benefits (such as Food Stamps) – then, yes it does replace the Quest card. However, any remaining balance of child support payments on the Quest card must be accessed using the Quest card, because the balance cannot be transferred to the new Family Support Card.
If you have benefits (such as Food Stamps or cash assistance) combined with your Child Support case, then, no it does not replace the card. The Idaho Quest card must still be used to access Food Stamps and any cash assistance. Do not throw away or destroy your Quest cards if you also receive Food Stamps or cash assistance!
Can child support payments be deposited directly into checking or savings accounts instead of using the new card?
Yes. You may elect to have payments deposited directly into your account. The notice informing you about the new card included a Request for Direct Deposit form; simply complete the form and submit it to the Department.
If you want to setup direct deposit and do not have the form, contact Child Support Customer Service and ask for the “Request for Direct Deposit” form.
If I receive child support payments via direct deposit prior to receiving the new card, will I need to request direct deposit again?
No. If you already use direct deposit to collect child support payments, you do not have to re-request the service.
Will any remaining balance on the Idaho Quest EBT card be transferred to the new card?
No. Any remaining balance of child support payments on the Quest card must be accessed using the Quest card.
When will the new card be issued?
The new Idaho Family Support card was issued in January 2009, and deposits onto the Family Support Card begins February 2, 2009.
How is the new card used?
The new Idaho Family Support Card works just like a debit card. When a child support payment is received, it is disbursed into an account. You may then use the card at over 3 million locations (anywhere Visa is accepted) to purchase goods or services, withdraw cash via ATM or bank teller, and even make over-the-phone or online purchases. Making purchases will require the card and PIN number or signature.
Before the card can be used, it must be activated by following the instructions enclosed with the card. These instructions include FAQs, Terms and Conditions, and other information about the card and how to use it.
Are there any fees assessed with using the new card?
Yes, some fees may be assessed with using the card, such as the following:
- ATM withdrawal and balance inquiries
- Cash withdrawals at a bank
- Inactivity
- Card replacement (after the free replacement)
Additional fee details will be included with the instructional materials that are mailed with the Idaho Family Support Card.
Are there any ATMs that accept the new card without charging a fee?
No. There is a $.85 fee that will be charged at Allpoint ATM networks, Chase and WAMU ATM's. Simply go to www.allpointnetwork.com and enter your zip code to get a listing of Allpoint ATM's in your area.
How are the fees collected?
If some use of the card, or replacement of the card, results in a fee, the fee amount will automatically be deducted from the account during a nightly processing cycle.
Can other funds be deposited into the Idaho Family Support Card account?
No. Only child support payments, collected by Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, will be disbursed to the accounts.
What happens if the card is not used for a long period of time?
If the card is not used for more than 12 months, an inactivity fee will be assessed: $1.50 per month after 12 months if funds remain in the account.
If I have a problem using my card, who do I contact?
For immediate assistance, contact JP Morgan customer support at 1-866-643-4197. Another option is the Customer Service email on the MyAccount website (www.myaccount.chase.com), which has an approximate 24-hour response time.
How can I check my account balance?
Call customer service at 1-866-643-4197 or go online to the MyAccount website (www.myaccount.chase.com).
How can I change my PIN or Access number?
If you forgot your PIN or access number, you can change it by calling 1-866-643-4197.
Who do I contact if my name changes to something different than printed on the card?
Both Idaho Child Support Services and JP Morgan should be notified if your name changes. You may contact Idaho Child Support at 1-800-356-9868 and the JP Morgan customer service line at 1-866-643-4197. A replacement card will be sent with the new name at no cost to you.
How do I request a secondary card for someone such as my spouse?
Contact Idaho Child Support Services at 1-800-356-9868 to request a secondary card. You will be directed to a specialist who will help you with the request. There may be a $5 fee for each secondary card requested.
How do I request a replacement card?
If your card was lost or stolen and you need a replacement card, call the JP Morgan customer service line at 1-866-643-4197. Each cardholder is allowed one free replacement; after that a $5 fee is charged for each replacement card.
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