Starting this week, Treasury and the IRS are sending approximately 8 million economic impact payments (EIPs) via prepaid debit cards to taxpayers, Treasury announced Jan. 7.
Recipients can use the EIP cards to make purchases, withdraw cash and transfer funds to their personal bank accounts without incurring fees. The EIP cards have the same consumer protections as traditional debit cards, including protections against fraud, loss and other errors.
To quickly disburse the payments, some people who received EIPs by paper check for the first round of EIPs may receive an EIP card in this second round. Likewise, some people who received an EIP Card for the first round may receive a paper check this time.
Treasury will mail the EIP cards with activation instructions in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. Learn more.