Emergency Cash from Direct Express, also known as Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access allows you to withdraw cash from your Direct Express debit card account without a card. That means that if you lose your Direct Express card but still have funds on your account, you don’t have to wait for a replacement card to arrive to access your funds.
Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access is available in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
In this post, we are going to explain in detail what the Direct Express Emergency Cash service is about.
First, we will explain who can take advantage of Emergency Cash from Direct Express.
Also, we will show you where you can go to get the cash from your account and how much it costs per transaction.
Finally, we will answer the most frequently asked questions our readers have about the Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access service.
How Direct Expres Card Works
A Direct Express debit card works the same as any other debit card.
You can use your card to make purchases in stores, online, and over the phone at any merchant or service that accepts MasterCard.
Every month, your federal assistance, including Social Security, SSI, or SSDI will be deposited into your Direct Express card account.
Furthermore, Direct Express cardholders can get cash from ATMs worldwide wherever the MasterCard acceptance mark is displayed.
However, some ATM owners may charge a fee to use their ATMs. This fee is in addition to any other fees applied.
What is Emergency Cash?
Direct Express Emergency Cash allows you to get up to $1,000 of the money available on your Direct Express card account without your Direct Express card in hand.
The purpose of the Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access service is to allow cardholders to withdraw funds from their account in cases when they do not have a card on them.
Therefore, if you are currently without your Direct Express debit card for whatever reason, one option to get money from your card is to follow the instructions below on how to get Direct Express Emergency Cash.
Who Needs Emergency Cash from Direct Express?
The Direct Express Emergency Cash program is particularly useful for the following groups of people:
First, if your Direct Express card is lost or stolen, or your card has been canceled by Direct Express and you are waiting for the new card to arrive but you need cash now.
Second, if your Direct Express card has expired and you are waiting for their new card to arrive in the mail but you need access to your funds now.
Third, if you have ordered a replacement Direct Express card for whatever reason and need access to cash from your account now.
How to get Emergency Cash from Direct Express?
Here’s how the Emergency cash service works:
You can get up to $1,000 of the funds available on your Direct Express card account without your Direct Express card in hand.
You may pick up your money at any MoneyGram location in the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico.
Almost all Walmart Locations have MoneyGram centers, making it easy for you to get access to your money.
For a MoneyGram location near you, click here.
For a Walmart location near you, click here.
What are the fees for Direct Express Emergency Cash?
As shown by the fee table below, the fee for Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access is either $8.50 for up to $500 or $12.00 for up to $1,000.
Direct Express Debit Card Fees
| Transaction Type | Fee per Transaction |
| ATM Cash Withdrawals | $0.85 |
| Monthly Mailed Paper Statement | $0.75 (per month) |
| Direct Express Bill Pay | $0.50 |
| Funds Transfers to a U.S. Bank | $1.50 |
| Emergency Cash | $8.50 to $12.00 per transaction |
| Card Replacement | $4.00 (one free per year) |
| Overnight Delivery of New Card | $13.50 |
| International ATM Withdrawal | $3.00 plus 3% of withdrawal |
| International Transactions | 3% or purchase amount |
Emergency Cash from Direct Express FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions related to the Direct Express Emergency Cash.
Does Direct Express do cash advance?
Direct Express is not a credit card, therefore you cannot get an advance from your card.
You can only spend the federal benefits that have been deposited on your card.
However, there are lenders out there that offer payday loans against government benefits, including Social Security and Disability benefits.
It is important to note that payday loans come with very high fees.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the payday loan fees might range from $10 to $30 for every $100 borrowed.
In addition, the maximum amount you can borrow and fees vary by state and are largely based on state law.
A fee of $15 per $100 is common. This equates to an annual percentage rate of almost 400% for a two-week loan.
So, for example, if you need to borrow $300 before your next government benefits payment date, it would cost you $345 to pay it back, assuming a fee of $15 per $100.
Can I get a loan straight to my Direct express Card?
Unfortunately, you cannot deposit personal funds onto your Direct Express debit card.
The card will only accept funds paid to you by the federal government, including Social Security and Disability benefits.
Therefore, even if you were able to get a loan from a third-party financial institution, the proceeds from the loan cannot be deposited onto your Direct Express card.
You will have to get your loan proceeds by check or have them deposited into another bank account or a prepaid account you own.
Will stimulus check go on the Direct Express card?
Yes. Most eligible Social Security, SSI, or SSDI beneficiaries will get their Economic Impact Payments or stimulus payments via their Direct Express card.
The Internal Revenue Service plans to put those stimulus payments automatically on existing Direct Express cards.
Can you borrow money from your Social Security?
No, you cannot borrow from your current or future Social Security benefits.
There have been talks about allowing the option for loans from Social Security.
However, the system was never designed to allow current or future beneficiaries to borrow from or against their benefits.
Emergency Cash from Direct Express Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
The Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access allows you to withdraw cash from your Direct Express debit card account without your debit card in hand.
The service is available in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
You can withdraw up to $1,000 of the funds available on your account without your Direct Express card in hand.
The fee for Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access is either $8.50 for up to $500 or $12.00 for up to $1,000.
Questions?
We hope you found value in this post on Emergency Cash from Direct Express.
If you still have questions, you should leave a comment below.
However, what may be an even greater help is to join our FREE Facebook members group about Making Sense of Social Security Benefits.
It’s a very active group with some really smart people who love to answer any questions you may have about Social Security Benefits.
Also, from time to time, our team of editors drop in to contribute and answer questions.
Finally, you may like these popular articles, including:
How to Get a Payday Loan with Your Direct Express Card
My Social Security Account Login
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Top 5 Changes to Social Security in 2021
2021 Social Security Payment Deposit Dates.
