Debit cards have been added as a third payment option for people who receive monthly child support payments from the Kansas Payment Center operated through the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration.
Parents responsible for paying child support send checks or money orders for their monthly payments to the KPC, which in turn sends out checks to the custodial parents or deposits the support monies directly into checking or savings accounts.
KPC has introduced a Visa-branded “NOW” card that can be used like a traditional debit card received in conjunction with a checking or savings account.
The purpose is to give easier access to the funds for recipients who don’t have bank accounts, according to Michelle Ponce, public information officer for SRS.
KPC previously offered direct deposit to recipients’ bank accounts or sent KPC checks to individuals who did not have accounts. The latter option cost recipients money in check-cashing fees, in addition to the 4 percent KPC charges to handle the child-support payments.
“Often, if you don’t have a bank account, you have to go to someone who charges fees to cash a check,” Ponce said.
The NOW card, provided through J.P. Morgan-Chase, gives recipients quick access to the child-support payments in a variety of ways.
“They can withdraw funds at an ATM up to the balance,” she said. “They can also use it at point-of-sale at any store that would use debit/credit cards.’
Ponce said the NOW cards are faster, reduce paper consumption, and potentially save the check-cashing fees.
“As you can imagine, both electronic methods are quicker processing time,” she said.
Access to a NOW card can be based on signature or personal-identification number.
People who are interested in obtaining information about the new payment choice may call (877) 572-5722 or go online to www.kspaycenter.com to download an application for a NOW card.
“No credit check is required and recipients do not need to have a current checking account to use this service,” according to a news release from the KPC.
More than 200,000 custodial parents in Kansas receive child-support payments, the release stated.