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Texas Payroll/Personnel Resource

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General Provisions
Pay Cards for Payroll

Background

The Comptroller’s office offers employees and annuitants the opportunity to receive payroll, travel and retirement payments on a pay card as an alternative to a traditional bank account (direct deposit).

The pay card is a fast, convenient and safe method for state employees to enjoy the convenience of a debit card that also serves as a branded credit card at reasonable rates. The Comptroller’s office contracts with a bank that offers greatly reduced and often free use of the pay card. This allows state employees access to their payroll funds without paying check-cashing fees and carrying their entire payment in cash.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees who wish to obtain a pay card for their payroll or travel payments must complete the Pay Card Enrollment Authorization form (74-224) and submit it to their agency payroll office. Employees must provide a physical address on the enrollment form, along with other required information. Pay cards must be mailed to physical addresses, not post office boxes.

State Agency Responsibilities

For agency responsibilities, see Pay Card for Payroll/Retirement Net Pay (FPP P.004).

Comptroller Responsibilities

The Comptroller’s office provides agencies with access to the enrollment form for employees to designate their payroll be deposited to a pay card.

Additionally, the Comptroller’s office either completes the entry of the pay card account enrollment for employees or assists state agencies in that enrollment as necessary.

Should the agency determine the payroll payment designated to the pay card account must be reversed or called back, and if the justification is sufficient to allow the reversal or callback of the funds, the Comptroller’s office will assist in that process.

Bank Responsibilities

Once the employee has requested a pay card account and the pay card has been issued, the employee effectively has a banking relationship with the bank.

Any questions or concerns about the pay card or the account must be handled by the bank, including inquiries on fees, access, passwords, statements, charges, or lost or stolen cards. The website and telephone number for the bank is included in the bank communications and on the pay card.