One of the questions we often get from our readers is about Direct Express Bank. Some cardholders express frustration at how difficult it is to locate their account number and routing number.
In addition, it’s not easy to figure out the process for transferring money from your card account to another bank.
Also, when it comes to online bill pay, there are no options online regarding how to set up automatic bill pay as you have with a checking account or other prepaid cards.
Finally, due to frustration with Direct Express customer service, cardholders want details on how to contact the bank associated with the debit card.
We will answer all these questions and more in the frequently asked questions section below.
This post will cover:
- What Bank is Associated with Direct Express Card?
- How do I locate Direct Express Account Number?
- Does Direct Express have a bank account?
- How do I get Direct Express Routing Number?
- Can I Add Money to My Direct Express Account?
- How do I pay Bills with Direct Express?
- Can I transfer money from Direct Express to a bank account?
- How do I contact Direct Express?
FAQs about Direct Express Bank
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Direct Express Bank – Comerica.
What Bank is Associated with Direct Express Debit Card?
Comerica Bank is behind Direct Express, which is run by the United States Department of the Treasury.
Your debit card is issued by Comerica Bank, under agreement with Mastercard International Incorporated.
In January 2020, The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced that Comerica Bank has been selected again to run the Direct Express program.
The new agreement is for 5 years, beginning in January 2020.
Comerica Bank won another five-year contract from the Treasury Department to continue operating the Direct Express program, despite being criticized for poor customer service and fraud.
Does Direct Express have a bank account?
The Direct Express card is a debit card you can use to access your benefits.
Your federal deposits are paid directly into your card account each month on the due date.
The Direct Express account, while not a bank account in the traditional sense has many of the features of a debit card account, including the following:
For example, you can go to any bank, credit union, or ATM that shows the Mastercard logo and get cash from your account.
Also, you can make purchases with your card from any place that accepts debit card payments.
Furthermore, you can get cash from any ATM, bank, or credit union that shows the Mastercard logo.
Finally, you can pay your bills online or over the phone with your debit card as long as it is processed like a credit card transaction.
How do I get Direct Express Routing Number?
Unlike other prepaid debit cards, Direct Express doesn’t make routing numbers publicly available for their cards.
You will be assigned an account number and Comerica Bank (the card’s issuer) does have a routing number, but you won’t need it.
That’s because only federal deposit payments can be put on the Direct Express card.
In addition, you can have refunds from the purchases you have made deposited onto your card.
Those are the two deposits that can be made onto a Direct Express debit card.
Therefore, since you cannot add your own funds to Direct Express account, there is no reason for the account and routing numbers to be displayed.
How do I locate Direct Express Account Number?
When you sign up for a Direct Express debit card account, you will be assigned an account number, but you won’t need it.
That’s because only federal deposit payments can be put on the Direct Express card.
Therefore, since you cannot add your own funds to Direct Express account, there is no reason for the account and routing numbers to be displayed.
Can I Add Money to My Direct Express Account?
You cannot add money to Direct Express Debit Card.
That’s because only federal deposit payments can be put on the Direct Express card and refunds from purchases you have made.
The Direct Express debit card is set up to only receive federal benefit payments.
Your federal benefits are the only funds you can spend on your Direct Express card.
How do I pay Bills with Direct Express?
Yes, you can pay bills online with your Direct Express card under one condition:
However, the merchant has to process the transaction like a credit card transaction.
If the company you are trying to pay asks for information like a routing number, you won’t be able to do that with your Direct Express card.
Can I transfer money from Direct Express to a bank account?
Yes. You may transfer funds from your card account to a personal U.S. bank account.
However, a fee of $1.50 will be deducted from your Direct Express card account for each transfer made.
To transfer funds, call the Direct Express Card toll-free Customer Service Department number on the back of your card or login to your account.
For help with reaching a live person at Direct Express, see our post on how to speak to a live person at Direct Express.
If you need help logging into your Direct Express account, see our Direct Express Account login guide.
How do I contact Direct Express?
We have provided the contact number below to call the Direct Express card Customer Service Department.
They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Customer Service is available by calling the following numbers:
- Customer Service: 1-888-741-1115
- Hearing-impaired: 1-866-569-0447
- International: 1-765-778-6290 (Collect)
If you need help speaking to a live person at Direct Express, see our post on how to speak to a human at Direct Express Customer Service.
How do I contact Comerica Bank?
If you are frustrated with your experience with Direct Express and would like to file a complaint with Comerica Bank directly, here’s how to reach them at:
By Telephone
Eastern Time – 1- 800.266.3742
Central Time – 1- 800.925.2160
Mountain/Pacific – 1- 800.522.2265
TDD 800.822.6546 Hearing Impaired
Also, you can also complete an online form here.
How do I U.S Treasury about Direct Express?
If you are frustrated with your experience with Direct Express, you can complain to the United States Treasury directly.
You can email them at DirectExpress@fiscal.treasury.gov.
However, since this is a general email account, do not email them your personal information.
Direct Express Bank Summary
We hope this post on Direct Express Bank was helpful.
If you have further questions about Direct Express Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on Direct Express, including Direct Express Cash Access, Direct Express Emergency Cash, How to get a replacement Direct Express Card, and Direct Express Cash Advance, and How to report a lost Direct Express Card.
