Jan 3, 2020

Problems With Government Benefits Cards

     From CBS Chicago:
A debit card nightmare has left an 80-year-old Chicago woman with no way to access her Social Security money. 
Her family said it has been going on for weeks, with no solutions from the government or the card company. ...
LaShawna Walker said she has had to call Direct Express far too often – trying to activate her 80-year-old grandmother Ida Walker’s debit card. ...
On its website, Direct Express states that its debit card is offered to those who get federal benefits electronically. LaShawna Walker said when her father called the Social Security Administration directly, an employee acknowledged there were Direct Express issues.
“They told my dad that they’re having a lot of problems. People are calling in and complaining about the problems that they’re having with the cards,” she said.
The cards that are affected have number starting with 5332 – as Ida Walker’s cards do. ...
An SSA spokesman said he would look into the matter, and later referred her to the Treasury Department for concerns about Direct Express. ...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

That’s a vague description “problems”.

Anonymous said...

Open a local bank account and your ability to communicate with your financial institution will grow exponentially. People who don't want to do that sort of business will rely on their pre-paid debit cards, direct express and an assortment of options that aren't great. It's not SSA's fault.

Anonymous said...

Right, this sounds like a contractor engaged in waste, fraud, and abuse.