This page may contain affiliate links from our advertising partners for which we many receive compensation. This may impact how and where products appear on this site. This site does not review or include all companies or all available products. We are thankful when you support this site by using our links.
I received notification by email today from H&R Block informing me that they were suspending Debit Card Funding for H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®.
Honestly, I haven’t used that card since the days of Vanilla and GreenDot Reloads so many moons ago. I’m honestly not surprised: this card was originally intended for H&R Block customers to receive their tax refunds on. Is there anything I’m missing? Was anyone else still using them?
Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
Yes, you missed a few moons of no cost debit card loads. Didn’t last long.
please tell me next time, Paul!
I just received this email also. I use my card regularly. This means I can no longer go to the store and put money on my card threw western union??
I’m not sure. Does anyone have the answer?
HR block closed my card after 3 online debit load and refunded all my debit load back to the original debit card. It is a useless feature.
I received this same email. I have no clue what it means. I currently am enrolled in direct deposit. My payroll check is direct deposited to y card every two weeks. Does anyone know what “debit card funding” is?
I use the card almost daily. Debit Card feature was not an important feature for me considering I never loaded it using another debit card. You can go to a cashier at any Walmart and load up to $999 for less than a $1. You can also go to a CVS store and load it for $4; no need to purchase other loading cards to accomplish this, just a swipe of the card by the cashier. I use it on domestic and international trips. Only gripe is you cannot use it on ATMs outside the US. Also, you cannot use it to gas up at the pump (but you can prepay w/cashier). In the US, Moneypass locations make it easy to withdraw funds at little to no cost. Bottom line, it beats my bank’s monthly service fee. Perfect for anyone not able or wanting to use a regular bank account. You can even direct deposit your paycheck. Best prepaid card out there, IMHO.
The Emerald card is actually a pretty great prepaid card, for more than just getting your tax refund. I’m sad to see this feature go. I have multiple income sources including one that pays out onto its own, pretty useless, card. I was able to transfer funds instantly for free to my Emerald card, and it was beautiful. Now I have to pay atm fees to withdraw cash, then reload fees to put that cash onto my Emerald card. Not so cool. I hope they bring it back. I love my EC!