How to use the Economic Impact Payment Cards


I’ve been hearing that people are getting their stimulus payments in the form of an “Economic Impact Payment Card” instead of a check. I’ve checked it out: it’s not a scam, it’s really the government trying to send you money (using MetaBank as a bizarre middleman for some reason.)

Here’s what you need to do if you get this:

1.) Call 1-800-240-8100 and press 1 for English, then 1 to activate the card.

2.) Punch in the sixteen digits on the front of the card and hit the # key.

3.) Give them the last six digits of your social security number. Last SIX…

4.) Read them the three digits on the back of the card.

5.) Answer some questions to verify your identity.

6.) Set up a four-digit PIN, something you would remember.

Now you have options:

You can use it the way you’d have used any credit card, OR

You can register to use an online app to move the money to your bank account by clicking here for the Money Network, and creating an online login, OR

You can use any ATM the first time without any fees, but after the first time you need to use an “AllPoint” ATM (Often in CVS or Walgreens or Targets) (see this locator) to avoid fees. You can withdraw up to $1,000 each day, OR

You can go to a teller window and ask the teller to withdraw a specific amount (you’ll have to know your balance ahead of time: call 1-800-240-8100 to go through the automated voice response system to find your balance.) The teller will also want your 4 digit PIN and probably some ID. (Note: Greenfield Cooperative Bank has a walk-up teller window in the kiosk where their drive-through is on Federal Street near Main Street.)

For more information, here’s the online FAQ about this.

I hope this helps. Personally, I’d just use it as a credit card myself. ​You could consider it your summer food budget, for example. Or use it to donate to charities. I’ve recently given to The Bail Project to help get people out of jail, for example, so if a charity appeals you might see if one that appeals to you could use it.