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The Idaho Child Support Program is distributing 21,000 Visa-branded prepaid debit cards to parents this month, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co., which issues the card. The "new business process will save an estimated $250,000 a year," Orie Garcia, manager of the electronic-benefits program for the state's Department of Heath and Welfare, said in a statement. The department did not return CardLine calls for further comment. Parents who receive child support have the option to have the program deposit funds into their bank accounts or into an account linked to the debit card. The program will begin depositing funds on Feb. 2. The department tested the card with 2,000 parents in December. Similar to other debit cards, ATM fees will apply when cardholders withdraw cash. The state previously used the Idaho Quest Card, a benefits card that continues to support food-stamp and cash-assistance disbursements, to distribute the child-support benefits. The welfare department said in a statement it chose the Visa-branded card because it would be accepted at more locations.
