How to Use the New Debit Card System to Receive Your Maryland Unemployment Benefits

Receiving unemployment benefits can be quite the waiting game. First, you have to wait for your initial claim to be approved. Then, once your claim is approved, you have to wait for what can seem like forever to actually get a check in the mail. Well, the state of Maryland has eliminated waiting for unemployment checks by issuing special debit cards to people who file unemployment claim. Once the debit card is active, unemployment benefit payments are automatically loaded onto the debit card, ready to be accessed at an ATM or by using the card anywhere Visa card payments are accepted.

Receiving a debit card is simple. A debit card will be automatically mailed to anyone filing their initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits in the state of Maryland after December 1, 2008. If you filed your initial unemployment claim before that date, you are not eligible to receive the debit card and will continue to receive paper checks as usual. Assuming you are eligible for the debit card, you'll need to activate the card by calling the toll-free number on the sticker adhered to the front of the card when you receive it. Once you activate the card, the state of Maryland is notified and your unemployment payments will automatically be loaded onto your debit card.

The Maryland Unemployment Benefits debit card works just like a debit card from a bank. You can only spend the amount of money you have available on the card, and if you try to make a transaction that exceeds your available balance it will be declined. You can use any ATM in the AllPoint network to withdrawal cash free of charge. There are some fees associated with the Maryland unemployment debit card, so be sure to read the terms & conditions that were sent to you when you received your debit card. If you understand the fees, you can avoid paying them by altering your behavior, but if you are unaware, you might be surprised how quickly little fees can eat away at your unemployment money.

In general, the new debit card system has made it easier than ever to receive unemployment benefits in the state of Maryland. Now, you can spend less of your time waiting to cash unemployment checks and more time looking for a job. No one wants to be without a job, but with the debit card system, you can be sure your unemployment funds are safe and sound from being lost in the mail or stolen. You can get more information about the Maryland unemployment debit card system by calling the Department of Labor or by visiting the Maryland unemployment website at http://www.mdunemployment.com