Can I use a government benefits card to send money internationally?

Generally, no. Government benefit funds are typically restricted to approved uses defined by the specific program, and most programs don’t permit using the funds to fund a money transfer abroad. Checking a specific program’s rules confirms exactly what’s permitted.

Is my government benefits card protected the same way a regular prepaid card is?

Largely, yes. Government benefit accounts are generally covered under the same federal prepaid protections framework, including error-resolution rights, though the specific rules for accessing and using the funds depend on the individual benefit program.

Can I choose to receive government benefits into my own bank account instead of a benefits card?

Depending on the specific program, yes, some benefits allow choosing direct deposit into a personal account rather than a government-arranged card. Checking with the specific agency administering the benefit clarifies what choices are available.

Back to Glossary

Government benefits card: using it alongside sending money home

Key takeaways
- A government benefits card is a prepaid card loaded with public benefits, such as food assistance or other support.
- It’s federally protected under the same general framework that covers other prepaid accounts.
- Benefit funds generally can’t be used directly to fund an international money transfer, since benefits are typically restricted to approved purposes.
- Recipients of government benefits who also send remittances need to budget carefully, since the two funding sources usually can’t mix.
- Understanding a card’s specific rules, including withdrawal options, helps in using benefits appropriately alongside other finances.

A government benefits card is a prepaid card loaded with benefits like food assistance or other public support. Here’s what to know about using one, and whether it can factor into sending money internationally.

What is a government benefits card?

A government benefits card is a type of prepaid card used to distribute public benefits, such as food assistance, unemployment insurance, or other government support, directly to a recipient. According to the CFPB’s guidance on prepaid card rights⁠(opens in new window), recipients of certain government benefits may have a choice between a government-arranged prepaid card or having benefits deposited into their own bank account or prepaid card, depending on the specific program.

What government benefits cards mean for your finances

Government benefits cards come with specific rules that differ from an ordinary prepaid or debit card:

Benefits are generally restricted to approved uses. Depending on the program, funds may only be usable for specific categories of purchases, such as groceries.
Withdrawal options vary by benefit type. Some benefits can be withdrawn as cash at an ATM⁠(opens in new window), while others cannot.
Consumer protections apply similarly to other prepaid accounts. Registering the card and understanding rights in case of loss, theft, or error matters just as much as it does for any other prepaid card.

Government benefits cards and international money transfers

For recipients of government benefits who also send remittances to family abroad, understanding how to withdraw money from an EBT card without a fee⁠(opens in new window) is directly relevant, since maximizing what’s actually usable from benefit funds, without triggering unnecessary fees, leaves more of a person’s own separate income available to support a regular money transfer.

It’s important to understand that funds loaded onto most government benefits cards generally cannot be used to fund an international transfer directly, since benefit programs typically restrict use to approved categories of purchases or, for cash-eligible benefits, withdrawal at specific types of locations. Keeping benefit funds and personal remittance funds clearly separated in budgeting avoids confusion about what’s actually available for sending abroad.

How government benefits cards differ from a regular prepaid card

While a government benefits card physically resembles a standard prepaid debit card, and often runs on the same open-loop payment networks, it comes with specific restrictions a regular prepaid card doesn’t have. Certain benefit types, such as food assistance funds, can only be spent on eligible items at approved retailers, with point-of-sale systems specifically coded to block ineligible purchases like alcohol or non-food items when using those particular funds. Other benefit types loaded onto the same card, such as cash assistance, typically don’t carry these restrictions and can be used more like ordinary money, including for cash withdrawal at an ATM.

Understanding which specific funds on a card carry restrictions, and which don’t, avoids the frustration of an unexpectedly declined purchase, and reviewing a program’s specific rules, since they vary by state and by benefit type, gives the clearest picture of what a card can and can’t be used for.

Protecting your benefits card from fraud

Because government benefits cards are a frequent target for skimming and fraud schemes specifically designed to prey on recipients, taking a few extra precautions is worthwhile. Checking a balance and transaction history regularly, ideally through an official program app or website rather than a third-party service, helps in catching unauthorized activity quickly. Being cautious of unsolicited calls or texts asking to confirm a card number or PIN, a common scam tactic specifically targeting benefits card holders, protects against a direct compromise, since legitimate government agencies generally don’t ask for this information over an unsolicited call or text message.

Common questions about government benefits cards

Can I use a government benefits card to send money internationally?

Generally, no. Government benefit funds are typically restricted to approved uses defined by the specific program, and most programs don’t permit using the funds to fund a money transfer abroad. Checking a specific program’s rules confirms exactly what’s permitted.
Is my government benefits card protected the same way a regular prepaid card is?

Largely, yes. Government benefit accounts are generally covered under the same federal prepaid protections framework, including error-resolution rights, though the specific rules for accessing and using the funds depend on the individual benefit program.
Can I choose to receive government benefits into my own bank account instead of a benefits card?

Depending on the specific program, yes, some benefits allow choosing direct deposit into a personal account rather than a government-arranged card. Checking with the specific agency administering the benefit clarifies what choices are available.

In Summary

A government benefits card serves a specific, protected purpose, and understanding its restrictions helps in using it appropriately while keeping personal finances, including any regular remittance, clearly separate. Maximizing what can be accessed fee-free from benefit funds leaves more of a person’s own income available for what matters most.

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant, or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date.