Questions and Answers about the First Economic Impact Payment — Topic E: EIP Cards

Notice: Historical Content


This is an archival or historical document and may not reflect current law, policies or procedures.

More In News

If you didn’t get the full Economic Impact Payment, you may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. See Recovery Rebate Credit for more information.

All Economic Impact Payments have been sent. To find the amount of Economic Impact Payments issued to you, see your Online Account.

If you didn’t get any payments or got less than the full amounts, you may qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a tax return to claim the credit even if you don’t normally file.

A1. Yes. The limit on ACH transfers to a bank account is $2,500 per transaction. You can easily transfer the money from your EIP Card to an existing bank account online at EIPcard.com or by using the Money Network Mobile App. You will need the Routing and Account number for your bank account. To transfer funds:

  1. Call 800-240-8100 (TTY: 800-241-9100) to activate your card.
  2. Register for online or mobile app access by going to EIPCard.com or the Money Network Mobile App and click on “Register.” Follow the steps to create your User ID and Password. Be sure to have your EIP Card handy.
  3. Select “Move Money Out” and follow the steps to set up your ACH transfer. Transfers should post to your bank account in 1-2 business days.

A2. If your EIP card is lost or destroyed, you may request a free replacement through MetaBank® Customer Service. To request a replacement call 800-240-8100 (select your language and then select option 2 from main menu) and enter the last six digits of the Social Security number of the person who is listed first on your tax return.

The Economic Impact Payment Card is sponsored by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, managed by Money Network Financial, LLC and issued by Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank®, N.A. The EIP Card will be sent in a in a plain white envelope which prominently displays the U.S. Treasury seal and “Economic Impact Payment Card” in the return address. The envelope will also have the following notation:  “Not a bill or an advertisement. Important information about your Economic Impact Payment.”  The Visa name is on the front of the Card and the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. on the back of the card. If you have an Economic Impact Payment Card, visit EIPcard.com for more information.

A3. If the last name on the card (i.e., issued in a previous name such as a maiden or married name) is incorrect, the payee with the first name on the first line can still activate the card and/or validate identity to continue activation. For other name related issues or questions (i.e., incorrect spelling), contact MetaBank®, N.A. at 800-240-8100, or visit EIPcard.com.

A4. Those who have still not activated their card as of February 1, 2021 are being sent a second letter reminding them to activate their card or to request a replacement if they accidently threw it away.

The EIP cards were originally mailed in late May to about 4 million people who were eligible for an Economic Impact Payment and would have otherwise received a check. The EIP cards were issued by MetaBank®, N.A. and came in a plain envelope from Money Network Cardholder Services.

For the second reminder mailing, the Treasury Department logo will be visible on the envelope and letter. The left front of the envelope will clearly include this notation: “Not a bill or an advertisement. Important information about your Economic Impact Payment.” The inside of the letter will include instructions for people who haven’t activated their card yet and includes a picture of what the debit card looks like.

Once the card is activated, people can transfer the funds to a bank account, get cash surcharge-free at an In-Network ATM or request a Money Network® Balance Refund Check. This is a check from MetaBank® for the amount on your card.

For more information, visit EIPcard.com or call MetaBank Customer Service at 800-240-8100 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions and other resources is available at IRS.gov/coronavirus.

For more information about claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit see EIP Card Not Activated: I received an EIP card for my Economic Impact Payment but didn’t activate it to use the funds. Can I claim the full amount of the Recovery Rebate Credit?

A5. No.  EIP cards issued for the first economic impact payments are independent of EIP Cards issued for the second economic impact payments. Please note that the form of payment for a second mailed EIP may be different than for the first mailed EIP. Some people who received a debit card last time may receive a paper check, and some people who received a paper check last time might receive a debit card this time.

A6. You will not necessarily receive an EIP card again if you received one last time.  The form of payment for a second EIP may be different than for the first EIP. Some people who received a paper check last time might receive a debit card this time, and some people who received a debit card last time may receive a paper check.

Economic Impact Payment Topics

This page is designated as historical and is no longer updated. Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 16-Feb-2022