Phone Number for Direct Express

If you are looking for the phone number for Direct Express, you’ve come to the right place, we can help. In this post, we will provide you the best phone number to contact Direct Express.

In addition, we will walk you through a step by step process on how to avoid waiting on hold for a long time and the fastest way to speak to a live person.

The fastest way to Direct Express is to call the number below and follow our step by step instructions on how to speak to a live person.

However, we have received hundreds of emails from our readers complaining of the long wait times to speak to a human.

As a result, in addition to providing you the best phone number for Direct Express and the fastest way to speak to a human, we want to do more to help you.

Therefore, we have listed below the 10 most common reasons why people call Direct Express customer service.

You will see the questions and answers below.

We encourage you to review the questions and answers. Your question may be answered here, which will save you the time you have to spend on hold with customer service.

You can call Direct Express customer service at the following numbers:

Customer Service: 1-888-741-1115
Hearing-impaired: 1-866-569-0447

International: 1-765-778-6290 (Collect)

How do I speak to a live person at Direct Express?

Before You Call Direct Express Customer Service

Before you call the Direct Express Customer Service team, it is important to know what the top issues people call customer service.

That way, you know what to expect if you are calling about one of the following issues:

How do I get emergency cash from Direct Express?

Direct Express Emergency Cash allows you to obtain up to $1,000 of the funds available on your Direct Express card account without your card in hand.

It is also sometimes referred to as the Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access.

The program allows cardholders to access funds from their account in situations where they don’t have their card with them.

The service is especially useful for cardholders if they have lost their card, even when they are currently not in their home states.

For a step by step process on how to get emergency cash, see our post on The Process to get Direct Express Emergency Cash.

How do I cancel my Direct Express card?

You can cancel and close your Direct Express card account at any time at no charge.

All you have to do is call the Direct Express card Customer Service Department.

They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The number to call is 1 (888) 741-1115.

However, if you are receiving your government benefits via the Direct Express card, here’s what you need to do before you cancel your card:

Call the government agency and set up a new Direct Deposit with the new bank you would like to use.

That way, your benefit payments are not interrupted.

No more Paper Checks for Federal Benefit Payments

Paper social security and disability check (SSI and SSDI) are no longer issued.

By law, the federal government has stopped mailing paper checks as of March 1, 2013.

In addition, since May 1, 2011, all new applicants for federal benefits, including Social Security, SSDI and SSI have had to choose direct deposit or the Direct Express Card.

Therefore, if you cancel your Direct Express card or close your account, you have to set up a direct deposit with a bank account.

To learn more, visit www.GoDirect.org or call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-333-1795.

How do I replace my Direct Express card?

If your Direct Express card is lost or stolen, you will need to call Direct Express customer service to get a replacement card.

You get one free card replacement per year.

After that, you are charged a $4 fee for each additional card replacement within the year.

However, if you need a replacement card because your current card is about to expire, you will automatically be issued a new card for free.

Direct Express Customer Service can be reached at the number below.

They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The number to call is 1 (888) 741-1115.

For a step by step process on how to get a replacement card and what to expect, see our post on Direct Express card replacement.

Does Direct Express have a routing and account number?

Yes, Direct Express debit card accounts have a routing number since they are issued by a bank – Comerica Bank.

However, if you are trying to locate your Direct Express account routing number and have been unable to do so, here’s the reason why:

Direct Express does not make their account and routing numbers publicly available.

Your Direct Express card comes with an account number and Comerica Bank does have a routing number, but you won’t need it.

The reason you don’t need the routing number is that 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.

If you are not permitted to deposit your own money into the account, there is no need to have access to the routing and account number.

For more details on this, see our post on The Issue with Direct Express Routing Number.

Can I put money on my Direct Express card?

No. You cannot deposit personal funds onto the Direct Express debit card.

The card will only accept funds paid to you by the federal government, such as Social Security benefits, SSDI and SSI.

If you made a purchase using your Direct Express card and made a return, here’s how you are going to get your money back:

Once you have brought back the merchandise along with the purchase receipt to the retailer, the refund process will begin.

It may take up to 30 days for the refund to be credited back to your Direct Express card account.

Can I get an advance on my SSI check?

No. You cannot get an advance from Social Security Administration or Direct Express against your SSI check.

In addition, funds are not available for use on your Direct Express card until the federal benefit payment is deposited into your account.

Nevertheless, in most cases, recipients of Social Security or disability benefits can qualify for a payday loan.

That’s because many payday loan providers accept Social Security and disability payments as sources of reliable monthly income.

Note that payday loans or cash advance loans come with very high-interest rates.

According to the Federal Trade Commission:

A payday loan, which is a cash advance secured by a personal check or paid by electronic transfer is very expensive credit.

For example, if you borrow $100 for two weeks, you will write a personal check for $115, with $15 the fee to borrow the money.

The cost of the initial $100 loan is a $15 finance charge.

The interest rate for that $100 loan works out to an annual percentage rate of 391 percent.

Also, if you decide to roll-over the loan three times, the finance charge would climb to $60 to borrow the $100.

What does Direct Express Pending deposit Mean?

If want to know about a pending deposit on your Direct Express card and whether you are allowed to take money from their account, we can help.

To be on the safe side, you should only take money from your account on your payment deposit date.

If your pending deposit has not yet posted to your account, you should not spend that money.

This means that if your available balance in your account does not reflect the pending deposit, then you should not spend or withdraw money that money.

How do I Unlock My Direct Express Card?

There are several reasons why your Direct Express debit card may be locked.

Here are the top reasons:

Fraud or Suspicious Transactions

First, the most likely reason why your Direct Express Card is not working is due to fraudulent or suspicious transactions on your card.

ATM Issue

Second, another reason your card may be locked is multiple failed attempts to use the card to withdraw money at an ATM.

The card is Report Lost or Stolen

Third, if you called Direct Express customer service and have reported your card lost or stolen, they will automatically cancel the card.

Card Has Expired

Lastly, another possible reason why your Direct Express Card is not working is when the card is expired.

To unlock your Direct Express debit card, call customer service at the number below.

Once you call, you will be asked questions to confirm your identity.

After that, they will help you unlock your card.

Direct Express Customer Service Number
They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Call 1.888.741.1115 (Toll-Free)

For Customer Service Outside the U.S. call: 1.765.778.6290 (Collect)

Will I get my stimulus check on my Direct Express card?

If you received your $1,200 stimulus payment last year via your Direct Express debit card, you will get your second-round $600 stimulus payment the same way if eligible.

This includes those who receive Social Security retirement, SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income.

The IRS began sending payments to Direct Express debit cards on December 29th, 2020.

You will see a deposit of $600 in your account.

In addition, if you have eligible dependents, they will also get $600 each.

How do I Dispute Fraudulent Transactions on my Direct Express card?

If you have experienced fraud on your Direct Express card you can file a dispute.

Here’s how:

Step 1 – Call Direct Express Customer Service

Direct Express does not have a dispute form online, so the first step in the dispute process is to call Direct Express customer service.

Step 2 – Provide Details of Your Issue

Once you are able to connect with a live person, report the issue you are trying to dispute.

Step 3 – Wait for the Dispute form in the Mail

When you report a dispute with Direct Express customer service, they will send you a dispute form, which you have to complete.

Step 4 – File a Report with the Police

File a report with your local police as soon as you become aware of the issue.

Step 5 – Complete Dispute Form

When you receive the dispute form, complete it in its entirety and provide any supporting documentation that was requested.

Step 6 – Direct Express Dispute Resolution Department will Investigate

Next, the Direct Express Dispute Resolution Department will investigate your claim.

Step 7 – Dispute Resolution Decision

After the 10 business days have expired, you will receive a decision from the Direct Express Dispute Resolution Department about your claim.

For a step by step process on how to file a dispute with the Dispute Resolution department, see our post on Direct Express Dispute Resolution.