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FAQs

How is the debit card changing?
The financial institution that issues the card on which unemployment compensation and workers' insurance benefits are delivered is going to change. As a result, your current blue debit MasterCard card will be replaced by a new gold debit MasterCard issued by Chase Bank with a new card number.

Why is the debit card changing?
Just as you comparison shop for the products and services you use at home, Treasury routinely renegotiates its contracts for the products and services utilized on behalf of the Commonwealth. Through this process, Treasury determined that the Chase program will offer cardholders increased services with significant savings.

When will I receive my new card?
The new gold-colored Chase card was placed in the mail to you between February 28th and March 11th. If you have not received your card, please call Chase at 866-586-1706 or Treasury at 877-869-1956. Once you receive your new Chase card, activate it immediately, as all payments will be made to this Chase card beginning March 15th. You can activate your new card by visiting www.ucard.chase.com or by calling Chase at 866-586-1706.

Do not throw away your old blue card. Funds will not be transferred from your old blue card to your new gold card. You can continue to use your old blue card even after March 15th until all your funds are spent. If you cannot find your old blue card, please call Xerox at 877-406-8257 to request a new one.

How soon can I begin to use the new card?
Thursday, March 14 is the last day that Treasury will transmit payments to the blue Xerox cards. Those payments should appear on blue Xerox cards on Friday, March 15.

Treasury will transmit payments for deposit to the new Chase gold card beginning on Friday, March 15. Those payments should appear on Chase cards the following business day, Monday, March 18.

Please promptly spend down any remaining balance on your current blue debit MasterCard to zero.

What will happen to the current debit card and any money remaining on that card?
After March 14, 2013, benefits will no longer be deposited on your blue debit MasterCard. Money on your blue debit MasterCard will not be transferred to the new gold Chase debit MasterCard. You can continue to use the blue debit MasterCard to access funds deposited before that date until at least September 15, 2013. There will come a point in the future at which the blue cards will be deactivated. You will receive ample prior notification of accounts being closed, and will have the opportunity to receive a paper check for any remaining balances.

Will the new card work differently than the card I have now?
Basically, the new card will work in same manner as your existing card. The color and the name of the card are changing, but it can be used at all of the retail establishments you currently use. While you now have access to approximately 25% more completely free ATM locations in Pennsylvania, please note that PNC Bank ATM locations will not be in-network for the new program starting on March 15. As a result, you will now pay a surcharge if you use PNC Bank ATM locations with your new card after that date. Cash withdrawals are completely free at Chase Bank, Allpoint, MoneyPass, Sovereign Bank, Susquehanna Bank, and First National Bank of Pennsylvania. Specific details about the new debit card will be sent to you with the new card.

How do I avoid paying fees for using my card?
There is never a fee to use your card for purchases and you can always request cash back from your purchase at many retail establishments, such as grocery stores and post offices. The best way to avoid paying any ATM fees on your card is to only use the over 3,200 completely free ATM locations in Pennsylvania. Cash withdrawals and balance inquiries are completely free at Chase Bank, Allpoint, MoneyPass, Sovereign Bank, Susquehanna Bank, and First National Bank of Pennsylvania locations. You can also get completely free cash withdrawals from any bank teller that accepts MasterCard – and that's over 4,400 MasterCard bank teller locations in Pennsylvania.

Will the new card affect my benefits?
The new card will not affect your benefits.

What if I make automatic payments from the old card?
If you have a recurring payment set to be charged to your blue debit MasterCard, the recurring payment can continue on the blue debit MasterCard until the balance is insufficient to cover the payment, or September 13, 2013, whichever is sooner. Since you will have a new card with a different account number, you should then contact the company to which you are making the recurring payment in order to change the payment method to your new gold Chase debit MasterCard.

What is the difference between in-network and out-of-network?
In-network refers to the selected financial institutions and ATM networks that provide free services for your card. You always receive completely free balance inquiries and ATM withdrawals at any in-network provider: Chase Bank, Allpoint, MoneyPass, Sovereign Bank, Susquehanna Bank, and First National Bank of Pennsylvania. Out-of-network machines are essentially any machines that are not part of your in-network. While you can use an out-of-network ATM, your first two withdrawals each month will likely be subject to a surcharge imposed by the owner of the ATM, and subsequent withdrawals in that month from out-of-network ATMs will be subject to both the surcharge and a $1.25 fee. You will be notified of the amount of the surcharge before you accept your transaction and you will be provided the opportunity to cancel your transaction if you desire. You can always make free balance inquiries at any out-of-network ATM machine. The best way to avoid surcharges and fees is to only use one of the over 3,200 completely free ATM locations in Pennsylvania: Chase Bank, Allpoint, MoneyPass, Sovereign Bank, Susquehanna Bank, and First National Bank of Pennsylvania. Please visit the ATM locators section of this website to find the in-network closest to you by clicking here.

What are MoneyPass and Allpoint?
MoneyPass and Allpoint are not banks with physical locations. They are networks of ATM machines that are often located in establishments you already frequent, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies. Disregard any references you may see to MoneyPass and Allpoint as offering only surcharge-free ATMs; as part of your Chase debit card network, MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs provide you with completely free ATM withdrawals and balance inquiries. Please check the stickers on an ATM to confirm that the machine is supported by at least one of your six participating in-network partners: Chase Bank, Allpoint, MoneyPass, Sovereign Bank, Susquehanna Bank, and First National Bank of Pennsylvania; or visit the ATM locators section of this website to see if a particular machine is in-network by clicking here.

Who should I contact if I lost my current blue debit card?
Please contact Xerox at 877-406-8257 if you have lost your current blue debit card. Cardholders are entitled to one free replacement card per year. Additional replacement cards available for $4 and the cost to have a replacement card sent on an expedited basis is $12.

Who should I contact if I lost my new gold debit card?
Please contact Chase at 866-586-1706 if you have lost your gold debit card. Cardholders are entitled to one free replacement card per year. Additional replacement cards available for $5 and the cost to have a replacement card sent on an expedited basis is $15. You will not be charged if you never received your card in the mail.