Ways to Receive Your Child Support Payments
Ways to Receive Your Child Support Payments
Way2Go Prepaid MasterCard
The Maryland Child Support Administration (CSA) offers customers a fast, safe, and convenient way to receive their payments through the Way2Go Prepaid MasterCard, a debit card that makes it easy for families to receive monthly child support payments.
Customers may also receive their child support payments through direct deposit, and check payments are available to customers under certain limited conditions. Please click here for more information on direct deposit and check payments.
How the Way2Go Prepaid MasterCard Works
- Enrollment in Way2Go is automatic if you do not opt for direct deposit. Approximately 30-45 days after receiving your first payment by check, you will receive your new Way2Go Prepaid MasterCard.
- You must activate your new Way2Go card before using it. Activate the card using the Way2Go Card mobile app, GoProgram.com, or by calling 1-844-768-0043. If you are outside the USA, call 1-214-210-6820 (collect). You will continue to receive checks until you activate your card.
- If you would like to receive your child support payments on a Way2Go Prepaid MasterCard but have not been automatically enrolled, or if you previously opted out of receiving a card due to a hardship, please contact the CSA Customer Care Center at 1-800-332-6347. We will secure a new card for you.
- Note: The Way2Go Prepaid MasterCard is issued by Conduent, a third-party vendor the Child Support Administration who does not enroll new customers in the Way2Go program; only CSA can request a new card on your behalf.
- To secure a new Way2Go card, ask case-related questions, or update and confirm your contact and address information, please contact your local child support office or the Child Support Customer Care Center at 1-800-332-6347.
- Only contact Conduent if your card has been lost or stolen, or if you suspect fraudulent activity on your card. Existing Way2Go customers may use the Way2Go program mobile app, visit GoProgram.com, or use the Conduent Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone line at 1-844-768-0043 to request the reissuance of an existing card. Existing customers can also change their PIN and check their card balance or transaction history on the Way2Go app, at GoProgram.com, or by calling the Conduent IVR.
(Notice for Former Bank of America EPiC Cardholders: All EPiC cards have been deactivated. If you had any remaining funds on your card, a paper check for the balance was sent to the mailing address Bank of America has on file for you. For any questions about the EPiC card, please contact Bank of America at 1.866.213.4074. Representatives are available 24/7 and can assist in multiple languages.)
How to Access Funds on the Way2Go Card
- The Way2Go Card provides access to your funds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can use your Way2Go Card to make in person or online purchases or pay bills everywhere MasterCard debit cards are accepted. You do not need to have a bank account to receive a card and use a Way2Go Card.
- You may also make ATM withdrawals at in-network locations. You receive (1) out-of-network withdrawal for no fee per week. All other out-of-network ATM withdrawals will be charged $0.85.To locate an ATM near you.
- Please refer to the Schedule of Fees and Terms of Use for a complete list of fees associated with the use of this card. By activating the card and creating a PIN, you agree to abide by the Terms.
- In addition to withdrawing funds from ATMs, Way2Go card holders may also visit a bank teller window once a week, free of charge, to withdraw their funds.
- Card holders may also transfer child support funds received on the Way2Go card directly to a personal bank account by following the Way2Go transfer instructions linked here.
Way2Go Card Safety & Fraud Information
Important Card Safety Tips:
- Keep your PIN secret: Choose a hard-to-guess number. Never write it down or share it. Way2Go will never ask for your PIN via call or text.
- ATM Safety: Have your card ready. If you notice suspicious activity or a damaged/tampered ATM, do not use it and find an alternate location.
- Card Type: The Way2Go Prepaid MasterCard is not a credit card. Transactions exceeding your balance will be declined. You can only use the card for purchases or withdrawals until funds are exhausted. No additional deposits can be made to the account; only CSA can fund the card.
For Suspected Fraud on your Way2Go Card:
- Immediately “LOCK” your card: Go to GoProgram.com to prevent further transactions.
- Contact Customer Service: Call 1-844-768-0043 or visit the online Way2Go portal
- Submit a formal request: You must notify Way2Go within 60 days of the alleged fraud/error.
- Investigation Process:
- The card provider will close your current card and issue a new one while an investigation is conducted.
- A questionnaire will be mailed to you within 3-5 days of notification and must be returned within 10 business days of the original report.
- Failure to return the written notice within 10 business days may result in ineligibility for provisional credit, and the claim investigation could take 45-90 days to finalize.
- The cardholder will receive a letter with the investigation outcome.
- Review and Complaints:
- If dissatisfied with the outcome, you can request a secondary review by providing additional documentation.
- You can also request the documentation used for the investigation’s decision.
- If still dissatisfied, you can file a formal complaint at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/.
Please Note: The Maryland Child Support Administration does not conduct fraud investigations for the Way2Go card. These investigations are conducted solely by the card provider.
Direct Deposit
If you receive child support payments from the Maryland Child Support Administration and have a checking account, you also have the option of signing up for Direct Deposit.
Direct Deposit provides a safe, quick, and easy way to receive Child Support payments and eliminates the inconveniences associated with manual checks.
Applying for direct deposit online ensures that your direct deposit application will be quickly processed by the Child Support Administration.
Alternatively, you may log into your MarylandBenefits account and click on “Enroll in Direct Deposit” on the MarylandBenefits Consumer Portal. You can visit MarylandBenefits often to check your payments online.
If you are unable to apply for Direct Deposit online, you may also apply by mail as follows:
- Download, print and complete the Child Support Direct Deposit Authorization Form
- Mail a completed application along with all of the required supporting documentation to the address below, including a voided check or a copy of a voided check, and a copy of your driver’s license or a state issued identification card or a valid passport
CSA Direct Deposit Enrollment Application
Post Office Box 17615
Baltimore, Maryland 21297
(Please allow sufficient time for mail handling and processing.)
You may also request that a Direct Deposit Application be mailed to you by contacting 1-800-332-6347, or visit any Child Support office and request a Direct Deposit Application.
Check Payments
If you do not sign up for Direct Deposit or do not wish to continue using a prepaid card, DHS can begin sending your child support payments by check in the mail.
If you do not want to receive your payments through direct deposit or through a new electronic payment card, you may contact the Customer Call Center or your local Child Support Office to claim a hardship and request a paper check.
Please know that paper checks are less secure and increase the risk of fraud. Delivery failures and slower mail processing may also impact payments by check. You can only receive a paper check if one or more of the following is true for you:
- You are unable to pay account fees,
- Your home and place of work is more than 10 miles from an ATM or bank,
- You have a language or reading barrier, or
- You have a disability.
Please make sure CSA has your most up-to-date contact information, including your home and email addresses, so we can continue to send payments to you quickly and without interruption.
Keep Your Contact Information Current with CSA:
It’s always important to make sure CSA has your most up-to-date contact information, including your home and email addresses, so we can continue to send payments to you quickly and without interruption.
It’s easy to update your contact information with the Maryland Child Support Administration:
If you have a MarylandBenefits account, “Sign In” to your account at https://MarylandBenefits.gov.
If you do not have an account, click the “Create Account” button for step-by-step instructions to register your account.
For help, please click the Sign-in help videos to help you with registration and password changes. You can also contact the Department of Human Services Call Center at 1-800-332-6347 | TTY 1-800-735-2258, or visit your local office of child support services in person. Translation services are available upon request.