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State of Nebraska employees may opt to utilize two convenient direct deposit options, (1) traditional direct deposit to a checking or savings bank account or (2) the U.S. Bank AccelaPay Visa branded debit card. With the AccelaPay Visa, you can have all or a portion of your pay deposited onto a prepaid Visa card. You can also have state expense/travel reimbursements directed to your AccelaPay card. It’s perfect for employees without a bank account.
With the AccelaPay Visa, your pay is loaded onto the card each payday and available for immediate use. You can use the card to make purchases at millions of locations worldwide that accept Visa debit cards. AccelaPay cards can also be used at over one million Visa/PLUS ATMs worldwide to make cash withdrawals.
The State is offering these cards as an option in order to pay employees more securely and efficiently. By paying employees electronically (via Automated Clearing House payment) to the card, the state will save money on staff time needed for processing lost, stolen, or forged state treasury warrants.
- What is the AccelaPay Visa?
- Is it a Credit Card?
- How is the card used?
- How is the AccelaPay Visa account set up?
- When the card is sent in the mail, what does the envelope look like?
- What information or instructions come with the card?
- Do I need a PIN to use the card?
- How does a cardholder get a PIN?
- What does the employee do after receiving the card?
- Does it cost employees anything to have the AccelaPay Visa card?
- How does the State of Nebraska deposit money onto the card?
- Is a cardholder able to add funds to the card in addition to what the State deposits?
- Can an employee utilizing a payroll card also get their expense reimbursement sent to the payroll card?
- Does the employee receive a new card every time a payment is due to him/her?
- When getting cash, does the cardholder have to go to a U.S. Bank ATM or U.S Bank Branch?
- Does the employee have to have an existing relationship with U.S. Bank or any other bank?
- Whom can the cardholder contact if they have questions about the card?
- What services does U.S. Bank’s 24-hour customer service center provide?
- Where is the customer service center located?
- How do cardholders check the available balance?
- What happens if the card is lost or stolen?
- What are the benefits to employees who utilized a payroll card?
- Are there any fees associated with this card?
- How do employees qualify for the card?
- What are the benefits to the State?
- How do I sign up?
- Can a cardholder request a second card for another individual such as a family member?
- Can the card be used by someone other than the person whose name is on it?
- Does the cardholder receive a monthly paper statement in the mail?
- Can the cardholder view the account on-line?
- Can the State view or track individual cardholder transaction activity?
- Do I need to activate the card prior to funds being deposited?
- Can the cards be overdrawn?
- How do I get my name or address changed on this card account?
- Will I earn interest on my funds in my AccelaPay Visa Account?
Q1: What is the AccelaPay Visa?
The AccelaPay Visa is a prepaid debit card. Employees can elect to have all or a portion of their pay deposited directly onto the card each pay period. State employees may also choose to have their travel/expense reimbursements deposited onto the card. No credit check is needed. Every employee qualifies.
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No. Unlike a credit card, no credit line will be available with the AccelaPay Card. Cardholders can only spend the funds that the State deposits onto the card.
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The AccelaPay Visa works like a debit card. It is accepted at millions of locations worldwide that accept Visa prepaid cards and can be used at over one million Visa/PLUS ATMs to make cash withdrawals. There is never a fee to make a purchase with the AccelaPay Visa, and cardholders receive free ATM transactions from U.S. Bank ATMs, Cardholders can also receive cash back with their purchases at many Interlink merchants such as supermarkets. However, foreign (non-U.S. Bank) ATM fees may apply. Employees are using their own money, so there is no risk of debt.
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Employees fill out the simple enrollment form and turn it in to their payroll department. The payroll department will set up the account. Once the account is set up, U.S. Bank issues a card in the employee’s name and mails it to the employee. The next payday, the designated funds are sent directly to the card.
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For security reasons, the cards are mailed in a plain white windowed envelope with a Fargo, North Dakota (ND) return address.
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The card comes with the following:
- Instructions on how to activate the card.
- Card member agreement, disclosing fees and all other terms and conditions of use.
- Welcome brochure detailing where and how the card can be used.
- U.S. Bank privacy pledge.
- Visa Purchase Security guide to benefits.
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No PIN is needed to make signature-based purchases. However, you must use a PIN for cash withdrawals at ATMs or when requesting cash back with a purchase. You choose your own PIN when you receive your card. For security reasons, it is important that you pick a PIN that only you would know. Do not share your PIN or the card with anyone. You should never write your PIN on your card.
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The card mailing does not include the PIN. After the cardholder receives the card, he/she must call U.S. Bank customer service at 866-363-4134 to activate the card and select a 4-digit PIN. In the event that he/she forgets the PIN or does not pick a PIN at the time of card activation, the cardholder must call customer service and request that a PIN letter to be mailed to him/her.
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The card mailing does not include the PIN. After the cardholder receives the card, he/she must call U.S. Bank customer service at 866-363-4134 to activate the card and select a 4-digit PIN. The State can deposit funds to the card immediately, but the cardholder cannot use the card until it is activated and has a PIN. In the event that he/she forgets the PIN or does not pick a PIN at the time of card activation, the cardholder must call customer service and request that a PIN letter to be mailed to him/her.
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There is no annual fee for the AccelaPay Visa. Cardholders will be able to make cash withdrawals, without a fee, from any U.S. Bank ATM or from a teller at any financial institution that accepts Visa. Making a purchase with the AccelaPay Visa is always free. There are some situations in which a cardholder may experience fees. The most common fees are for making a withdrawal from a non-U.S. Bank ATM or for overdrawing the account. Cardholders will receive a listing of potential fees when their cards arrive. It is important to know that is very easy to avoid the fees and use the card for free.
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Anytime a payroll payment is due to the employee, the State will use the Automated Clearing House (ACH) to deposits funds electronically to the card. This is the same processed used for depositing funds directly into a checking or savings account (direct deposit). This process sends funds safely and dependably.
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No, only the State can deposit funds to the card. A state employee can elect to have expense reimbursements also sent to the card.
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Yes, the State employee will need to make the state agency human resource contact aware of their wish.
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No. All future payments will be automatically deposited onto the initial card received. If the card is ever lost or stolen and reported as such, a new one will be sent to the cardholder. The remaining available balance from the old card is transferred to the new card. Subsequent payments will automatically go to the new card.
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No. A cardholder may obtain cash from any of the 1 Million Visa/Plus branded ATMs throughout the world, or over the counter at any bank or credit union that accepts Visa. The cardholder can also get cash back on purchases made at 1.4 million Interlink merchants throughout the United States such as grocery and discount stores. Note: To identify an Interlink merchant, look for the Interlink logo (on the back of the card) displayed on the merchant’s door or check out counter.
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Q17: Whom can the cardholder contact if they have questions about the card?
For questions about your pay, such as when you will receive the next deposit to the card, or the amount of the deposit to your card, contact your state agency payroll representative. For all other questions about the card, AccelaPay Visa customer service is available 24/7/365 toll-free at 1-866-363-4134. The number is listed on the back of your card.
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You can perform the following services through customer service by calling 1-866-363-4134:
- Activate the card
- Choose/Change PIN (personal identification number)
- Balance inquiry
- Review Recent transaction history, including deposits
- Report a lost or stolen card and have it reissued
- Speak to a live representative if additional assistance is needed
You must direct all of your AccelaPay questions to the toll free customer service line. You may also utilize the website at www.accelapay.com for inquiries. Local U.S. Bank branch representatives are not able to assist you at the time with customer service issues.
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Q20: How do cardholders check the available balance?
Cardholders can obtain their balance in three ways: view your account online at www.accelapay.com, do a balance inquiry at the ATM, or call the toll-free customer service number on the back of the card.
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Cardholders must call the toll-free customer service number (866-363-4134) to report a lost or stolen card. A new card will be issued and any remaining balance will be transferred to the new card. The cardholder will not be responsible for any fraudulent activity that occurs on the card, provided the card is reported missing in a timely manner, and the cardholder has not shared the card or PIN with anyone.
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Employees receive convenient access to their pay. Employees without a bank account will avoid the inconvenience of going to a bank to cash their payroll state treasury warrant. Employees will also have immediate access to their money on payday. There is no need to come in on days off to pick up a paycheck. The AccelaPay Visa card gives everyone the convenience, power and prestige of having a Visa card.
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Q24: How do employees qualify for the card?
No credit approval is required. State employees automatically are approved.
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The issuance of paper state treasury warrant (checks) is costly and time consuming. Electronic payments help eliminate costs associated with issuing, printing, delivering, replacing and reconciling paper paychecks, and can reduce fraud related to forgeries.
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Contact a human resource or payroll staff member at your agency to sign up. The process is quick and easy.
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Yes, the state will allow employees the option to have another family member receive a card. The card must be issued in the family member’s name and funded by the employee’s payroll.
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For security reasons, cardholders should never share the PIN or allow anyone else to use the card.
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Q30: Can the cardholder view the account on-line?
Yes, at www.accelapay.com. The following functions can be performed on-line without a fee:
- PIN Change
- Balance inquiry
- View current month’s transactions
- View previous statements for last 12 months
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No. For privacy reasons, U.S. Bank does not share card account numbers or transaction details. However, for reconciliation purposes, the state does have access to the amount and date of deposits to the individual cards via the state payroll system.
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No. Cardholders should activate the cards immediately upon receipt of the cards for security reasons and in order to access funds available on the cards. Cardholders will not be able to use the card until the card has been activated.
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Yes, in specific instances. Normally, you can only use up to the amount of pay available on the card. However, under certain circumstance, such as pay-at-the-pump gas dispensers or restaurants where you add a tip to the bill, you can overdraw the card. If the card is overdrawn, you will be subject to an overdraft limit fee of $20.00. It is therefore important for you to track your balances carefully, just like a checking or savings bank account.
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The cardholder must call customer service at 1-866-363-4134 to change the address on this account. The employee must also contact the state agency personnel office.
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