Electronic Payment Issuance Card (EPiC)
General Program Information

Beginning in January 2013, the Maryland Child Support Enforcement Administration (CSEA) will offer an Electronic Payment Issuance Card (EPiC) as the alternative choice to direct deposit* for receiving child support payments. You do not need to have a bank account to receive and use EPiC.

If you currently have a bank account and would like to receive your child support payment via direct deposit into your existing bank account, please call 1-800-332-6347 to request a direct deposit form. You may also pick up this form at your local Child Support Office.

EPiC provides access to your funds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can use your EPiC to make purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. You will also have cash access via PIN-based point-of-sale (POS) terminals and ATMs.

Here’s how the cards will work:

• Once you select to receive your child support payments via EPiC, Bank of America will create an account in your name.
• Whenever you are due to receive a payment, CSEA will send the funds by Electronic Funds Transfer to your EPiC.
• You can then use EPiC to make purchases or withdrawals until the funds are exhausted.
• You cannot make any additional deposits to the account. Only CSEA can fund the card.
• This is not a credit card and attempting to use your card for purchases that exceed your balance will result in the transaction being declined.

* Beginning January 2013, direct deposit or EPiC will be the only options available to customers for receiving child support payments unless a hardship exemption is granted.

HARDSHIP EXEMPTION

There are thousands of merchants and financial institutions that accept Visa debit cards for purchases and cash withdrawals. However, there may be rare situations when a customer is unable to participate in the EPiC or a direct deposit program. In these cases, you may file for an exemption from these two options. Exemptions will be authorized under specific conditions as outlined below:

• Cannot access the funds due to:
  (a) physical or mental disability;
  (b) language barrier;
  (c) literacy barrier; or if
  (d) there is no financial institution within 10 miles of your home or place of employment.

• Cannot pay the account access fees.*

*Fees for withdrawals from a non-Bank of America ATM will apply. You may make one free cash withdrawal each week at bank and credit union teller windows that display the Visa logo. Additional withdrawals in the same week will incur a $1.50 fee per additional withdrawal. If you are using a check cashing service, please compare. You may be paying higher fees than those associated with the use of EPiC.