Child Care

Child Care Payments

U.S. Bank ReliaCard Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: As of May 2011, all child care providers will receive their Child Care Assistance payments electronically.

The ReliaCard

What is the ReliaCard?
The ReliaCard is an electronic access card (EAC)/electronic payment card (EPC) issued by U.S. Bank. It is a prepaid debit card that payments will be deposited to each time they are disbursed by the Department.    

Is it a credit card?
No. Unlike a credit card, cardholders can only use the funds that have been deposited onto the card.

How does the ReliaCard work?
The ReliaCard can be used to make purchases everywhere Visa Debit Cards are accepted (over 20 million merchants nationwide), including places like grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants.  The card can even be used to pay bills, and for online, phone, and mail orders.  Cardholders can also get cash from over 1 million Visa/Plus® branded ATMs or at any bank or credit union that accepts Visa.  The amount of the purchase or cash withdrawal is automatically deducted from the available funds on the card.

How does the State of South Dakota deposit money onto the card?
The State electronically deposits funds via ACH to the card just like they would do for traditional direct deposit into a checking or savings account.  This allows funds to be sent safely and dependably.

How do recipients qualify for the card?
No approval is required. Recipients will automatically receive the ReliaCard if they do not choose to have their funds directly deposited into a checking or savings account.

Successful identity verification required. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. If necessary, we may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

Getting the Card

When the card is sent in the mail, what does the envelope look like?
For security reasons, the cards are mailed in a plain white envelope with an address window that the cardholder’s name and address shows through.

What does the recipient do after they receive the card?
After receiving the card in the mail, the recipient must call U.S. Bank customer service at 866-276-5114 to activate it.  The card can not be used until it has been activated.  The cardholder also chooses their PIN (personal identification number) at this time.  

What information or instructions come with the card? 
The card comes with the following:

  • Instructions on how to activate the card and fee schedule
  • The cardholder agreement, which discusses terms and conditions.
  • A usage guide detailing where and how the card can be used.
  • The U.S. Bank Privacy Pledge.

Does the recipient receive a new card every time a payment is disbursed to them?
No. All future payments will be automatically deposited onto the initial card received. If the card is ever lost or stolen, a new one will be sent. Subsequent payments will automatically go to the new card along with any remaining available balance from the old card.   

Does the recipient have to have an existing relationship with U.S. Bank or any other bank?
No. 

Using the Card

Is a PIN (Personal Identification Number) needed to use the card?
Yes & No. The card can be used to make signature-based purchases without a PIN. However, a PIN must be used for cash withdrawals at ATMs. The cardholder chooses their own PIN by calling U.S. Bank customer service (866-276-5114) after they receive their card.  For security reasons it is important that the cardholder pick a PIN that only they would know, and not share the PIN or the card with anyone. 

How does a cardholder get their PIN?
After the cardholder receives their card, they must call customer service at 866-276-5114 to activate their card.  At this time they also pick their own 4-digit PIN. In the event that they forget their PIN or do not pick a PIN at the time they activate the card, the cardholder must call customer service to request a PIN letter be sent to them.     

How are purchases made with the card?
The card works much like other prepaid or debit cards.  Cardholders are able to use their cards wherever Visa is accepted – online, over the phone, at grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, medical offices, etc.  It is important that they make sure to know their account balance before making purchases.

When making a purchase, on the authorization machine, which selection (credit or debit) should be selected?
Select “Credit” to make a purchase only.  Select “Debit” to get ‘cash back’ with purchases. (Cardholders will have to enter their PIN.)

How can a cardholder get cash with their card?
There are three ways to get cash with the card:

  • From any of the over 1 million Visa/Plus ATMs throughout the world.*. To locate a Visa/Plus ATM, visit:
    http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/.
  • From a teller at any bank or credit union that accepts Visa*.
  • As cash back with purchases made at over 1 million Interlink® merchants throughout the United States, such as grocery and discount stores (at the point-of-sale terminal, cardholders must select “Debit”. Enter their  PIN and select “Yes” for cash back). 

* Fees may apply; see the program’s fee schedule for details.

When getting cash, does the cardholder have to go to a U.S. Bank ATM or U.S. Bank branch?
No. Cash can be obtained from any Visa/Plus branded ATM worldwide, or over the counter at any bank or credit union that accepts Visa.   The cardholder can also get cash back on purchases made at Interlink merchants throughout the United States such as grocery and discount stores.  Note: To identify an Interlink merchant, simply match the Interlink logo on the back of the card to the logo displayed on the merchant’s door or at their check out counter. 

When using an ATM to withdraw funds, which selection (checking, savings or credit card) should be selected?
Select “Checking” when making a withdrawal at an ATM.

Can a cardholder pay bills from the ReliaCard website?
Yes. Cardholders may login to the ReliaCard website and select the Bill Pay link. They have the ability to set up payees and payment options including one time payment, at a future date or at regular intervals. The Bill Pay fee is only $0.99; saving them the hassle of purchasing money orders and stamps.

How do cardholders check their available balance?
Cardholders can obtain their current available balance in four ways:

  1. Online: View account online at https://www.onlinecardaccess.com/main/fsrcard/Home.
  2. Phone: Call Cardmember Services toll-free at 866-276-5114.
  3. ATM: Perform a balance inquiry at an ATM.
  4. Text: Receive free email or text alerts when funds have been deposited to the account or when the balance gets low. (Standard messaging charges apply through their mobile carrier and message frequency depends on account settings).
Card Limits

Is a cardholder able to add funds to their card in addition to what the state puts on it?
No, only the state can deposit funds to the card.

Can a cardholder request a second card for another individual such as a family member?
No, only the recipient to whom the state is issuing payments will receive a card.

Can the card be used by someone other than the person whose name is on it?
For security reasons, cardholders should never share their PIN or allow anyone else to use their card.

Can the ReliaCard be overdrawn?
Unless a cardholder opts in for Prepaid Card Overdraft Coverage, U.S. Bank will not approve or charge an overdraft fee for a purchase or ATM transaction that overdraws an account. In any case, U.S. Bank will charge an overdraft fee for recurring transactions set up through a merchant (like a gym membership or subscription) that overdraws an account. 

It is important for cardholders to have enough funds available when the payment is scheduled to be withdrawn from their account.  If a cardholder signs up for overdraft coverage, U.S. Bank may cover ATM and everyday transactions when there is not enough money on the card and assess an overdraft fee (the ReliaCard can be overdrawn at the bank's discretion, which means that U.S. Bank does not guarantee that any type of transaction will be authorized).  

Can the State of South Dakota view or track individual cardholder transaction activity?
No. For privacy reasons, U.S. Bank does not share card account numbers or transaction details. However, for reconciliation purposes, the state does have access to the amount and date of deposits they made to individual cards.

Are there transaction limitations associated with the ReliaCard?
Yes. There are daily limitations on dollar amounts and the frequency of transfers including the following:

Limitations on frequency of transfers:

  • You may make only 10 cash withdrawals from an ATM each day.
  • You may make only 2 cash advances from a financial institution each day.
  • You can use our point-of-sale transfer service for 10 transactions each day.
  • You can use our point-of-sale transfer service using a PIN for 10 transactions each day.

Limitations on dollar amounts of transfers:

  • You may withdraw up to $1,000.00 from an ATM each day.
  • You may withdraw up to $1,000.00 from a financial institution each day.
  • You may buy up to $3,000.00 worth of goods or services using our point-of-sale service each day.
  • You may buy up to $2,000.00 worth of goods or services using our point-of sale transfer service with a PIN each day.
  • You can pay bills up to $1,500.00 for a single transaction payment and up to $2,500.00 daily using our Bill Pay service.
Customer Service

Who can the cardholder contact if they have questions about their card?
For questions regarding payments, such as when they will receive their next deposit to the card, or for how much, the cardholder should contact the state. For all other questions about the card, U.S. Bank customer service is available 24x7x365 toll-free at 866-276-5114. This number is also listed on the back of their card.

What happens if the card is lost or stolen?
Cardholders must call the toll-free customer service number (866-276-5114) to report a lost or stolen card. A new card will be issued and any remaining balance will be transferred to the new card.  The cardholder may not be responsible for any fraudulent activity that occurs on their card provided that they report the card missing in a timely manner, and have not shared their card or PIN number with anyone.

What happens if a cardholder no longer receives payments from the state, or has decided to switch to having their payments directly deposited into a checking or savings account?
The cardholder can continue to use their card until any remaining balance has been used. The state will notify U.S. Bank if future deposits to the card are being discontinued.  

Are there any fees associated with this card?
Yes. However, the card can be easily used without incurring any fees. Other service fees may apply but are optional and require the cardholder’s authorization. A full list of fees will be included in the card packet.

  • Withdrawals at any non-U.S. Bank or non-MoneyPass ATM are $1.25. The first cash withdrawal per month from any non-U.S. Bank ATM or non-MoneyPass ATM will be free. The owner of a non-U.S. Bank-branded ATM may assess a surcharge fee.
  • There is no monthly fee to have the card. However, if no purchases or deposits to your card are made in 365 consecutive days, there will be a $2.00 inactivity fee each month that the card is not used. As long as the card is used once every 365 days to make a purchase or get cash, this will not occur.
  • If a transaction results in an overdraft, a $10.00 fee would be assessed to the Card after the close of business on each calendar day that a transaction causes a cardholder’s account balance to become negative and will be reflected on his/her statement on the next calendar day. Unless a cardholder opts in for Prepaid Card Overdraft Coverage, U.S. Bank will not authorize or charge an overdraft fee for a purchase or ATM transaction that overdraws his/her account. In any case, an overdraft fee will be charged for recurring transactions set up through a merchant that overdraws the account. It is important for the cardholder to make sure to have enough funds available when the payment is scheduled to be withdrawn from his/her account.
  • If a monthly paper statement is requested, a $2.00 fee will be assessed to your Card for each monthly paper statement. Statements accessed over the Internet are free of charge.
  • If a card is lost, there is no cost to replace it. It takes 3-5 business days. If an emergency replacement card is requested, there is a $15.00 fee for 2-day UPS shipping.

Does the cardholder receive a monthly paper statement in the mail?
No. Monthly statements can be viewed online for free at www.reliacard.com. Cardholders have the option to call U.S. Bank customer service at 866-276-5114 and request paper statements for a $2.00 monthly fee.

What services does U.S. Bank’s 24 hour customer service provide?
The following can be done through customer service (866-276-5114):

  • Activate the card
  • Choose/Change PIN (Personal Identification Number)
  • Balance inquiry
  • Review recent transaction history, including deposits
  • Report card lost or stolen and have it reissued
  • Speak to a live representative if additional assistance is needed

Can the cardholder view their account online?
Yes. The following functions can be performed online at www.reliacard.com:

  • PIN Change
  • Balance inquiry
  • View card transactions
  • View previous statements for last 12 months