MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) - Soon, Alabamians receiving unemployment compensation from a debit card will be getting a new one in the mail.
Along with other state agencies the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations has changed debit card providers.
New cards will be mailed the week of February 13, 2012.
The new cards should start being used February 23. Deposits will be made on the old cards until February 22. Claimants will be able to use their old cards until April 30, but no new deposits will be made on the card.
The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations is urging claimants to use any remaining balances on their old cards by April 30 or they will lose that money.
The change in debit card provider is giving claimants more options:
- More ATM locations at MoneyPass ATMS - find locations nearest you: www.moneypass.com
- New deposit and low-balance notifications by e-mail, phone or text
- Self-service via internet to access accounts on-line - www.EPPICard.com
- 24/7 toll free Customer Service - 1-877-253-0757 (website and phone number will not be activated until February 16)
- One free ATM withdrawal per deposit, in addition to unlimited withdrawals at no charge through a bank teller
Currently, the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations estimates that about 40,000 claimants get their benefits through these debit cards.
If a claimant would prefer benefits through direct deposit, they should call the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations at 1-800-361-4524 or visit
www.dir.alabama.gov.
