One of the primary functions of many government agencies is disbursement of funds to its customers or clients. There are two basic ways to disburse funds to those clients: by paper (check or warrant) or by electronic funds transfer. In recent years, calls to gain efficiencies, streamline processes, increase security measures, and cut costs, both to the state and to customers, have resulted in several agencies making decisions to move towards electronic disbursement methods.

The State Treasury works with state agencies to determine the most cost effective method to handle funds whether it be receipting or disbursing. It is ultimately the agency’s decision on how funds are disbursed. Some agencies provide electronic funds transfer as an option for distribution of funds. Others have mandated electronic methods. When an agency mandates electronic methods of disbursing funds, the customer has the option of using their own electronic deposit solution, such as a checking account, savings account, or any one of a number of reloadable prepaid cards that are available in the marketplace. Where the customer is unable or unwilling to provide their own alternative, the state aims to meet the needs of unbanked or underbanked citizens of Oregon by offering a prepaid card program to offer an electronic deposit alternative for these unbanked customers.

The state currently contracts with U.S. Bank to provide a prepaid card program solution for state agencies. In addition, the state provides a prepaid card program as a direct deposit alternative for state employee payroll.

Current agencies/programs using the prepaid card program include:

• Oregon Employment Department – Unemployment Insurance Benefits (ReliaCard)
• Oregon Department of Justice – Child Support Benefits (ReliaCard)
• Oregon Department of Administrative Services – State Payroll (AccelaPay Card)
• State Accident Insurance Fund – Worker’s Compensation Payout (ReliaCard Card)
• University of Oregon – Study Abroad Program (AccelaPay Card)

Additional information of interest:

• Current Fee Schedule for ReliaCard program
• Current Fee Schedule for AccelaPay program
• Cash Management Manual Section XIV: PREPAID CARDS AND ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER
• November 2011 Press Release
• ReliaCard.com
• AccelaPay.com

If you have questions about your individual card, please contact ReliaCard or AccelaPay customer service at:

If you have questions about the program that you receive funds for, please contact that agency directly. If you have questions about the Prepaid Card Program, please contact: