Electronic Payment FAQs

Questions and answers about the electronic payment of child support.

Yes. State law requires that, except in very limited circumstances, all child support must be sent electronically. This provides parents and custodians with a safe, convenient and secure method to receive their payments, and the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) with a more efficient way to send funds.

Electronic payment of support means that support payments will not be sent by paper check to child support recipients unless they are exempt under the law. Instead, they will receive their payments either through direct deposit to their personal bank account or through a prepaid debit card. The recipient can choose which option (s)he wants.

Yes. The law allows some individuals to continue to receive support payments by check. These include individuals with a mental disability, physical disability or language or literacy barrier that results in a hardship for those individuals in accessing electronic payments; and individuals with both home and work addresses that are more than 30 miles from an automated teller machine (ATM) or their bank.

New child support recipients receive their first support payment by paper check with a request to make a choice between direct deposit to their personal bank account or a prepaid debit card for future payments. Included with the check is a direct deposit request form that must be completed and returned if they want direct deposit to their personal bank account. If they do not return the direct deposit form, they will automatically receive the Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard debit card. Direct deposit forms can also be found online at www.misdu.com. Recipients can call 1-877-543-2660 to speak with a MiSDU customer service representative with questions about completing the forms.

The Way2Go Card is a debit card issued by Comerica Bank. The MiSDU electronically deposits child support payments to this card when they are due and received from the person who owes the child support. It's not a credit card and there are no credit checks or approvals required to get the Way2Go Card.

• Make purchases everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted (over 20 million merchants nationwide), including places such as grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants;
• Receive cash back with a purchase from debit card merchants;
• Pay bills and pay for online, phone and mail-order purchases;
• Get cash from any bank that accepts Mastercard; and
• Get cash from ATMs (fees may apply).

The amounts of purchases or cash withdrawals are automatically deducted from the available funds on the card.

Yes and no. Cardholders can use the card to make signature-based purchases without a PIN. However, cardholders must use a PIN for cash withdrawals at ATMs (fees may apply for ATM transactions; see Question 9). Cardholders must choose their own PIN by calling the Way2Go Cardholder Services Help Desk at 1-844-649-9843 or going online at www.GoProgram.com after they receive their card. For security reasons, it is important that cardholders pick a PIN that only they would know and that they not share their PIN or card with anyone.

No. Cardholders can obtain cash without any fees over the counter at any bank or credit union that accepts Mastercard. Cardholders can also get cash back on purchases made at merchants throughout the United States such as grocery and discount stores. Some merchants may charge a fee for cash back. The Way2Go program offers surcharge-free access at Allpoint ATMs. Withdrawals made at Allpoint ATMs will not be subject to a surcharge by the ATM owner. Visit https://allpointnetwork.com/locator.aspx to find the nearest Allpoint ATM. A $1.50 service fee will be charged for all ATM withdrawals at non-Comerica and non-Allpoint locations.

When payments are received from the parent paying support, the MiSDU electronically deposits funds to the Way2Go Card. The MiSDU will electronically deposit funds into a personal bank account if the person receiving the support were to choose direct deposit.

No. All future child support payments will be automatically deposited onto the card the customer initially received. If the card is ever lost or stolen, a new one can be requested from the Way2Go Cardholder Services Help Desk by calling the toll-free number on the back of the card. Any new payments will automatically go to the new card.

After a person receives the card in the mail, (s)he must call the Way2Go Cardholder Services Help Desk at 1-844-649-9843 and select a PIN. Cardholders may also use the Way2Go Card mobile app or log into www.GoProgram.com to activate the card. Although the MiSDU can deposit funds onto the card immediately, the card cannot be used until the recipient activates their card by selecting their PIN.

No qualification or approval is needed. State law requires that child support must be sent electronically to the person receiving the support. Unless the person receiving support requests direct deposit to his/her personal bank account, (s)he will receive the Way2Go Card automatically.