Arkansas has debit cards for unemployment but you don't have a choice. It's the card or nothing. However, the only fees I saw were if you call and talk to a customer service representative. Then you pay $1.50. And there's an inactive fee but considering the job market around here, my card won't be inactive for a while.

Lippe is right to be outraged. This is insanity. If you have the option in your state, ask for a paper check, and use cash only. If you live in a state where these cards are mandated by law, then god help you.

I am one of the unfortunate in this economic depression. I am a month behind on my mortgage plus the monthly fees that they keep tacking on – and they are huge. My partner lost their job and my bonuses were cut out, this has left us in a hardship trying to make ends meet. I have watched CNN and all the news about Obama making help available to folks like me. Yesterday I received a letter of intent of foreclosure from my mortgage company – Wells Fargo. I contacted them today to see if I could something out, perhaps a loan modification. They refused and said that they would not modify the loans of anyone that was behind in their payments. This is ironic because it is the ones that are behind through no fault of their own that need help. I also saw on CNN where Wells Fargo was part of Obama’s loan modification program, apparently they are not. They said I had thirty days to pay the one month that I am behind, plus my regular payment, plus all of the late fees. I simply do not have the money. I already work sixty hours per week and I’m a type one diabetic that wears an insulin pump just to stay alive and the stress is beginning to take a toll on me. My partner has literally already put in over one thousand applications and not even an interview. What is someone like me supposed to do? Who was Obama’s help intended for? Apparently it isn’t for people that have worked hard all their life and paid there bills on time. Now when I need help or a solution, none is to be found. After living in my home for eleven years now I face losing it.

Tom
Morristown, TN

This is absolutely disgusting. I also live in pa and on unemployment. 3 dollars to take out money and then you can only take out so much at certain atm's. I can get up to 20 dollara then sometimes can't usae all the money once it gets to a certain amount. My money and others goes to bail out and help these blood suckers and then I have to pay them to get my own money out. These banks are part of the reason I'm laid off in the first place. The system isn't wrong or broke its loop holes and capitolism gone astray. And greedy ceo's running things in washington. Our country is more corrupt than peolpe know. There's a lot more madoffs out there then people realize.

Well you dont think that $25 dollars extra a week from the Govt is going to be free. We have to stimulate the banks!!

They just cant do the right thing!!

The charges should be disclosed to the claimants before they make their final choice over debit card vs. check. At least that way they know from the first what they are going to face. What ever happened to unemployment being automatically deposited in your checking account? TN and AL did that a few years ago and it worked out wonderfully well – your money was right where you needed it to pay bills and there were no fees attached.

This is an outrage. ATM fees are nothing but a cash grab in any case, but what is of particular concern to me is that the government can track where (and on what) you spend your money. The next logical step is for them to regulate those expenditures.What a horrible invasion of privacy.

Not to mention, the fees are listed upfront if you choose to use the Debit Card. It's written right in your unemployment paperwork.

I am unemployed, and receiving benefits in the state of Utah. We had the option of a Mastercard or direct deposit in our banks account. I chose the deposit as I have had issue with temporary credit /debit type cards in the past.
No fees associated however they sent me a card also. I have not used it. I destroyed it.

No charges are needed and this is absurd ! Which makes are looking out for we the people ? The ones that don't will go under !

Which "banks "are looking out for we the people ?

This is outrageous! I think all of the fees should be returned. They still charge a fee if you go to the same bank on the debit card. In New York, the withdraws are in $5.00 increments so I know someone that has $2.25 on the card and cant get it out of the account. Who approved this and what were they thinking? These banks are out of control and its been this way for a long time.

We have the same system in Michigan, you can choose either the Debit card or direct deposit. They don't even allow you to choose paper check anymore as an option. Michigan's UIA is far too overwhelmed. Personally, I chose direct deposit, and get my pay in two days, but...what I was advised by the benefits office of my former employer, if you choose the debit card...
The best option with the debit card is to find someplace where you can cash the entire card out at once, just as you'd cash a real check. Deposit the cash into your checking or savings account. Then, you won't get hit with multiple fees throughout the pay period.

It's the people of this country who are bailing out all these major banks, corporations, etc., with OUR tax dollars, and we're the ones STILL being screwed to date. Now, explain how that works please bc it's getting older by the day.

@TOM-I feel for you loosing your home. I would defintely look into who owns your note. Did WelIs Fargo chop it up and sell it to an investment bank? Find it. If they cannot produce it then you are free for awhile until they do.

I suggest that those of you that chose ATM cards over direct deposit simply reverse your request if possible. This is an outrage. This why I do not own a debit card. Fees, fees, and more fees for BANKS. They are trying to recover their losses. Get rid of those debit cards.

Adam, you are so right. There are more thieves out there than just good ole "BERNIE". Look out because they can also be friends of 40 years. Happened to me.

How many of the banks you reported on are now owned by JP Morgan Chase? I don't know about Wells Fargo but I do know that Washington Mutual, Wachovia and Bank One are. Chase is charging fees for everything. Do a search on Chase complaints and I think you'll find plenty of reading material.

I am a divorced mother of one from new jersey we have had this debit card payment method for three years now here.... same fees as in this report about unemployment....this too is an outrage after all this money is for children and to take away from children. well need I say more......

Please lets get this on the news headline and shame on J.P. Chase and any state involved! Everyone should needs pull all their money out of everyone of the banks involved find a credit union and deposit their money into a credit union and only bank locally get rid of these big banks and their money hungry corruption. AIG was the biggest sin of this century until the the unemployment department coming up with this debit card trash. I just shake my head I am going to pull out of JPChase credit card and mortgage.