​The Commonwealth is making several important changes to the way unemployment compensation (UC) benefits are paid onto prepaid debit cards. 

Beginning in March 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. 

​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.

​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:

Money Network Card – New

​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. This means you may receive your card in the mail before benefit payments have been loaded onto it.

​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. 

​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 Labor & Industry has your current address. If you need to update your mailing address, do so immediately by updating your mailing address through the UC System or by contacting the UC Service Center.

We understand that some claimants may not want to receive paper checks in the mail during the five-week transition period, so we are offering claimants a choice. Claimants will have the option to delay payment during those weeks and instead claim all benefits on their new Money Network debit card. To do this, claimants should not file for weekly benefits for the five claim weeks ending Saturday, February 25 through Saturday, March 25, 2023. For one week only – from Friday March 24 through Saturday April 1 – claimants will be able to log in to file weekly claims for the previous five weeks without being considered late or having to reopen claims.  This will route those five weeks of payments to your new debit card. This is a personal choice and not a requirement. This is only for individuals who feel it is better to delay their payments and receive them as a lump sum on their debit card, as opposed to receiving weekly paper checks in the mail.

​We understand that some claimants may not want to receive paper checks in the mail during the five-week transition period, so we are offering claimants a choice. Claimants will have the option to delay payment during those weeks and instead claim all benefits on their new Money Network debit card. To do this, claimants should not file for weekly benefits for the five claim weeks ending Saturday, February 25 through Saturday, March 25, 2023. For one week only – from Friday March 24 through Saturday April 1 – claimants will be able to log in to file weekly claims for the previous five weeks without being considered late or having to reopen claims.  This will route those five weeks of payments to your new debit card. This is a personal choice and not a requirement. This is only for individuals who feel it is better to delay their payments and receive them as a lump sum on their debit card, as opposed to receiving weekly paper checks in the mail.

​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® Debit or Debit Mastercard® 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 your new prepaid debit card is delivered promptly. If you have moved since initially applying for UC benefits – or have an incorrect address for any reason -- you should immediately update your mailing address through the UC System or contact the UC Service Center.

​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, all 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 do anything to receive 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 $0. You may also choose to transfer remaining funds to personal savings or checking accounts.. 

No. Your ReliaCard® will remain active until the balance reaches $0. 

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.

​For users who have an expired ReliaCard or had their card lost or stolen, please call U.S. Bank ReliaCard® at 888-233-5916 or 888-233-5916 TTY to receive a new card. To access your balance and account information, please visit www.usbankreliacard.com.

​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 continuing balances on their ReliaCard.

Beginning March 6, 2023, Money Network prepaid debit cards will be sent via U.S. mail to UC claimants who requested payment by prepaid debit card. These mailings will take about 2-3 weeks to complete. 

Cards will be mailed to the address on file with the Department of Labor & Industry. If you have moved since initially applying for UC benefits, you should immediately update your mailing address through the UC System or contact the UC Service Center.

​Yes. If you would prefer to receive benefit payments by direct deposit, you can change your payment method by following the instructions on the Direct Deposit page.

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)  
• Money Network Prepaid Disclosures (Spanish)  
  

• Money Network Prepaid Debit Card Account Registration and Maintenance  
• Money Network Frequently Asked Questions (English)  
• Money Network Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)
  

​More information is available at www.patreasury.gov/UCdebitcard. If you have questions, email UCDtreasuryweb@patreasury.gov or call 877-869-1956.

​There are a variety of issues that could be the cause for why you haven't received a debit card. Below are some of the top reasons why you may not have received a debit card:

​A debit card will be mailed to you after you have been determined financially eligible for benefits.

Debit cards are valid for three years. If you already have a debit card from a previous claim, you will not receive a new debit card.  You will continue to use the original debit card.

If you have direct deposit, but prefer to receive your UC payments via debit card, you can submit a form to stop direct deposit by clicking the link Direct Deposit of UC Benefits. A debit card will not be issued until this request has been processed, which generally takes two days from receipt by the PA Treasury. Also, confirm your mailing address via accessing your dashboard at Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation (UC) Benefits System (pa.gov), so that your debit card is mailed to the correct location.

If you previously had a debit card and it expired, is lost or think it may have been stolen, contact U.S. Bank ReliaCard® at 888-233-5916. See guidance on how to request a new card if you do not have your card number in the "What do I do if my card is lost or stolen?" FAQ.

Benefit payments are similar to a paycheck. You will open your new claim and then one week later will file your first weekly claim to say you were unemployed, just as you would submit a time sheet to be paid for how much you worked. A few days later, you will receive payment on your debit card if there were no issues with your claim. 

For your first weekly filing and claim it can take four to six weeks to receive payment on your debit card if there are any eligibility issues we are investigating. After the first payment, moving forward, you'll receive payment within two to three days after filing your weekly claim.

​Review your method of payment for any unauthorized changes. If your payment method was changed to an account you do not recognize you must contact PA Treasury at 877-869-1956 to have your method of payment changed back immediately. NOTE: This change will not necessarily be reflected on your personal profile. You must then contact the UC service center at 888-313-7284 to open a ticket. A UC staff member will contact you to review your claim for any additional unauthorized changes, complete a fraud report, and direct you to verify your identity with ID.me or use your ID.me login information if you’ve already verified with ID.me. Your information will then be sent to our Internal Audits Division who will work with our Treasury department to re-issue any benefit payments you are missing.

​For the U.S. Bank ReliaCard® debit card, call the U.S. Bank ReliaCard toll-free customer service number at 888-233-5916.

If you need to speak to a customer service representative, follow these steps.

Enter the 10-digit phone number associated with your account, if you DO have your card number enter your 16-digit card number. 

If you DO NOT have your card number and PIN, wait until you hear the prompt that says, "select 0 to report your card lost or stolen."

You'll be transferred to a Customer Service Representative and can confirm your name, SSN, address, date of birth and phone number to confirm your identity so they can issue a card replacement.

​To report a lost or stolen debit card and request a replacement card (one per year is available at no charge), call the U.S. Bank ReliaCard toll-free customer service number at 888-233-5916. Or see the FAQ instructions at How do I report my debit card as lost or stolen? (usbank.com).

If calling U.S. Bank ReliaCard, you will need to enter the 10-digit phone number associated with your account, if you DO have your card number enter your 16-digit card number. If you DO NOT have your card number and PIN, wait until you hear the prompt that says, "select 0 to report your card lost or stolen." Then you'll be transferred to a Customer Service Representative and can confirm your name, SSN, address, date of birth and phone number to confirm your identity so they can issue a card replacement.

​For basic information regarding the debit card, please see our UC Debit Card page.

If you received your U.S. Bank ReliaCard® debit card, you can access you debit card account and information by visiting www.usbankreliacard.com.

​You can use your debit card to purchase merchandise, at no fee, at any location accepting the U.S. Bank Reliacard Visa®  debit card, including purchases made online and by phone. The card can also be used to get cash back when making a purchase, where available.

There are several ways to use the debit card without incurring any fees. Cash withdrawals using the debit card are always available at no charge from teller windows inside any bank displaying the Visa® symbol. With the U.S. Bank ReliaCard® debit card, you have unlimited no charge withdrawals at any in-network ATM (U.S. Bank, MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs).

Balance, transaction history, and account information is available at no charge by logging into www.usbankreliacard.com. Deposit notification by phone, text or email is also available at no charge from U.S. Bank. Your wireless carrier may charge fees for phone services.

Pre-acquisition disclosure of the fees of the debit card are available from the debit card company at the Pennsylvania Treasury Department.

​Call the U.S. Bank toll-free customer service number at 888-233-5916 or 888-233-5916 TTY to provide your correct address and to request a replacement card.

In addition, you must notify UC by visiting Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation (UC) Benefits System, to update your information or by calling the UC Toll-Free line at 888-313-7284.

​You should check your information with UC by accessing your dashboard at Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation (UC) Benefits System, to update your information or by calling the UC Toll-Free line at 888-313-7284

Should you want a card that reflects your correct name, wait until the next business day, and then call debit card customer service at 888-233-5916 to request a replacement card.

​You should retain your debit card until the expiration date shown on the front of the card, even if you stop claiming UC benefits, as it is valid for up to three years. 

​No. If you already have a debit card from a previous claim, or reopen an existing claim, you will not receive a new debit card. You will continue to use the original debit card until the expiration date shown on the front of the card.

If it is your first time ever filing an unemployment claim, a debit card will be mailed to you after you have been determined financially eligible for benefits.

If your card has expired or your card has been lost, you will need to request a replacement card. To request a replacement card, call U.S. Bank at 888-233-5916. One card per year is available at no charge. See guidance on how to request a new card if you do not have your card number in the "What do I do if my card is lost or stolen?" FAQ.

​Yes. Your payments will continue to go on your debit card unless you have signed up for direct deposit within the last two years.

​If you cannot locate your debit card or if you have not used it in three years or longer call U.S. Bank at 888-233-5916 to request a replacement. Always verify your mailing address when you request a replacement card.

In addition, you should confirm your address with UC by logging into your dashboard at Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation (UC) Benefits System, or by calling the UC Toll-free line at 888-313-7284.

​No. For privacy reasons, only you have access to that information.

​No. Your card is a prepaid Visa® debit card, not a credit card. You will only be able to spend the amount that is stored on the card. You will not be able to purchase anything with your card that you do not currently have the funds in your account to cover.

​No. The card does not help establish credit history since no credit check is required to receive the card, and it is not tied to a bank account or a credit line.

​If you receive such a request, do not respond; delete the email or phone text message, or hang up the phone.

In addition, call the debit card customer service toll-free number to report the incident.

If a customer service supervisor returns a call to you, the supervisor will verify your name, date of birth and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, and in some cases, the last 4 digits of your debit card number.

The debit card company nor UC will never ask you for your full Social Security number, full debit card number, or your PIN through unsolicited email, text message, or phone call.