Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Prepaid Debit Card Changes
The Commonwealth is making several important changes to the way unemployment compensation (UC) benefits are paid onto prepaid debit cards.
Beginning on or about March 6, 2023, Money Network prepaid debit cards will be mailed to UC recipients who receive benefit payments via prepaid debit card. The Money Network prepaid debit cards will replace the U.S. Bank ReliaCard® currently in use.
The new Money Network prepaid debit card will arrive in a plain white envelope with an Omaha, Nebraska, return address. Be sure to remove the new card before you discard this envelope.
Here are samples of both the new prepaid debit card and the old prepaid debit card:
When you receive the Money Network prepaid debit card, you must activate it according to the activation sticker on the card. You must create your own unique PIN for the new Money Network prepaid debit card as part of the activation process.
Effective March 24, 2023, UC benefit payments to prepaid debit card users will be loaded to the Money Network prepaid debit card.
When you receive your Money Network prepaid debit card, it may not have funds pre-loaded. Money Network prepaid debit cards will begin to be mailed on or about March 6, 2023, to UC recipients who receive their deposits via prepaid debit cards, but benefit payments will be loaded to Money Network prepaid debit cards starting on March 24, 2023.
No. The PIN created for the Money Network prepaid debit card is not the same PIN that you use to file weekly claims using the PA Teleclaims System. For better security, you should create a different PIN.
The Money Network prepaid debit card will offer convenience and security:
- Benefit payments will be automatically loaded to your card.
- Your card can be used to get cash, pay bills, and make purchases everywhere Visa® is accepted.
- Your funds are protected if the card is lost or stolen.
No. You do not need to request a Money Network prepaid debit card. One will be sent automatically to the address on record with Labor & Industry.
It is essential that the Department of Labor & Industry has your current address to ensure that you receive your new prepaid debit card. Please immediately confirm that your address on record is correct. If you have moved since applying for UC benefits – or have an incorrect address for any reason – visit Labor & Industry’s UC website to update your mailing address immediately. (Here’s a direct link to log into your UC Dashboard. You can also email UCHelp@pa.gov or call the Labor & Industry Service Center at 888-313-7284.)
You should continue to file for UC benefits during this transition period in the same manner as you have previously.
Starting on February 17, 2023, new UC claimants who request payment by prepaid debit card will be enrolled with Money Network. If you have requested payment by prepaid debit card, you do not need to request a Money Network prepaid debit card. One will be provided to you automatically.
The last date that UC benefit payments will be loaded to your ReliaCard is February 28, 2023.
If you have a balance on your ReliaCard after February 28, 2023, you will be able to access your remaining funds and use your ReliaCard as usual.
ReliaCard balances WILL NOT transfer to the new Money Network prepaid debit card. You should continue to use your ReliaCard until the balance reaches zero ($0.00). You may also choose to transfer remaining funds to personal savings or checking accounts.
No. Your ReliaCard will remain active until the balance reaches zero ($0.00).
However, note that ReliaCards have a three-year expiration. If your card has a balance and is active, U.S. Bank will automatically reissue a card to the mailing address on file about 45 days prior to the expiration printed on the card.
If you use the Bill Pay or similar functions of your ReliaCard, you should pay very close attention to your account balance starting on February 28, 2023. Since no new benefit payments will be loaded to your ReliaCard after that date, you should confirm that the remaining balance in your account is adequate to cover any bills you intend to pay using funds from that account.
Yes. The ReliaCard cardholder website and U.S. Bank ReliaCard mobile app will remain available to support claimants with remaining balances on their ReliaCard.
If you file a claim during the transition period, you will likely receive one or more benefit payments via check issued by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and mailed to the address on record with Labor & Industry. This is another reason that it’s essential that the Department of Labor & Industry has your current address. Please immediately confirm that your address on record is correct. If you have moved since applying for UC benefits – or have an incorrect address for any reason – contact Labor & Industry to update your mailing address immediately.
If you receive a benefit payment between February 28, 2023, and March 24, 2023, it will likely be sent via check issued by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and mailed to the address on record with Labor & Industry. This is another reason that it’s essential that the Department of Labor & Industry has your current address. Please immediately confirm that your address on record is correct. If you have moved since applying for UC benefits – or have an incorrect address for any reason – contact Labor & Industry to update your mailing address immediately.
Beginning March 6, 2023, Money Network prepaid debit cards will be sent via U.S. mail to UC claimants who request payment by prepaid debit card. Claimants who previously received benefits on a ReliaCard will be the first to be sent Money Network prepaid debit cards. Newer claimants will be sent Money Network prepaid debit cards beginning on March 14, 2023.
Cards will be mailed to the address on file with the Department of Labor & Industry. Please immediately confirm that your address on record is correct. If you have moved since applying for UC benefits – or have an incorrect address for any reason – contact Labor & Industry to update your mailing address immediately.
Yes. If you would prefer to receive benefit payments by direct deposit, you can change your payment method on Labor & Industry’s website: https://www.uc.pa.gov/faq/claimant/Pages/Direct-Deposit-FAQS.aspx
A cardholder agreement, activation instructions, user guide, and complete fee schedule will be included in the envelope with your new Money Network prepaid debit card. You can also review the Money Network Prepaid Disclosures:
Money Network Prepaid Disclosures (English): https://www.patreasury.gov/pdf/debitcard/MoneyNetworkPrepaidDisclosuresEN.pdf
Money Network Prepaid Disclosures (Spanish): https://www.patreasury.gov/pdf/debitcard/MoneyNetworkPrepaidDisclosuresES.pdf
PA Office of Unemployment Compensation: https://www.uc.pa.gov
PA State Workers’ Insurance Fund (Workers’ Compensation): https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/swif/Pages/default.aspx
More information is available at www.patreasury.gov/UCdebitcard. If you have questions, email UCDtreasuryweb@patreasury.gov or call 877-869-1956.
In 2022, as its contract with U.S. Bank for the ReliaCard was coming to an end, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department selected Money Network as the successful bidder to provide debit card services to the UC program following an extensive and open competitive procurement process.
Money Network Financial, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiserv, headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The Money Network prepaid debit card is issued by My Banking Direct, a service of New York Community Bank.
