How to Reload or Add Money to a SecureSpend Card

"Can I add money to my SecureSpend card?" is one of the most common questions prepaid cardholders ask. The honest answer is that it depends on which card you have. This guide shows you how to find out, explains the reload methods prepaid cards typically offer, and what to do if your card can't be reloaded.

Step 1: Find out if your card is reloadable

Prepaid cards come in two broad families. One-time-load cards, often sold as gift cards, are loaded once at purchase and can't accept more money. Reloadable cards work more like an ongoing account. To find out which one you have:

1. Read the card and packaging

   Look for phrases such as "non-reloadable", "reloadable" or "add money". A gift-style card often says it can't be reloaded.

2. Check the Cardholder Agreement

   Search the agreement for "load", "reload" or "add funds". It lists the permitted methods, limits and fees.

3. Look on the official site

   Sign in or look up your card on the official SecureSpend website (opens in a new tab). If reloading is available, you'll usually find an "Add money" or "Load funds" option.

4. Ask customer service if unsure

   Call the number on the back of your card and ask whether your specific card accepts reloads. Verify on the official site

Common reload methods for prepaid cards

If your SecureSpend card is reloadable, the program may support some of the methods below. Not every card supports every method, so check which apply to yours.

General methods used by reloadable prepaid cards. Availability, limits and fees for SecureSpend: Verify on the official site

Reloading with direct deposit

Some reloadable prepaid cards come with a routing number and account number, so your paycheck or government benefit can be deposited straight onto the card. If your card offers this:

• Find the routing and account numbers in your online account, not on the card itself.
• Give them to your employer's payroll department or benefits provider using their official form.
• Ask whether you can split deposits, for example part to the card and part to a bank account.
• Confirm the first deposit has arrived before you rely on it.

Reloading with cash in a store

Where cash reloads are supported, you hand the cashier your card and the cash, and they load it at the register. Before you do:

• Confirm that the store is a participating reload location for your card. Verify on the official site
• Ask about fees before paying. The retailer and the card program may each charge.
• Keep the receipt until the money shows in your balance.

Load limits and balance caps

Prepaid cards usually have limits on how much you can load per transaction, per day or per month, and a maximum total balance. These protect against fraud and help issuers meet anti-money-laundering rules. Your card's specific limits are listed in its Cardholder Agreement. Verify on the official site

Reloadable cards often require you to register with identity information such as your name, address and date of birth before reloads are allowed. Our registration guide explains why.

If your card isn't reloadable

A non-reloadable card isn't a problem. It just has a different life cycle:

1. Spend the balance completely. Track it with our balance guide and use split payments for the last few dollars.
2. Buy a new card when you need one. Compare the purchase fee with alternatives in our comparison guide.
3. Dispose of the old card safely. Once the balance is zero, cut through the card number and chip before throwing it away.

If you regularly need to add money, a reloadable prepaid account or a low-cost bank account may cost less over time than buying a new card each time.

Reload scams to avoid

• No legitimate business or agency requires payment through a prepaid reload.
• Nobody needs to "verify" your card by having you load money onto it.
• Be wary of "too good to be true" offers to double your balance or add bonus funds.

Read our security and scam warnings to learn more and find out where to report fraud.

Reload fees

Depending on the method, reloads may be free or may carry a fee from the card program, the retailer or both. Direct deposit is often the cheapest option where available, and in-store cash reloads often cost the most. Always check before you load. See the reload section of our fees guide. Verify on the official site

Reload problems and how to fix them

The reload didn't show up

Check the expected timing for the method you used. Cash reloads at a register are often quick, while bank transfers and direct deposits follow their own schedules. If the expected time has passed, contact customer service with your receipt or transfer confirmation. Don't reload again to "test" it, because you could end up paying two fees.

The reload was declined

Common reasons are a card that can't be reloaded, an unregistered card on a program that requires registration, a load that would exceed the maximum balance or daily limit, or a retailer that isn't a participating reload location.

A direct deposit went missing

Confirm with your employer that they used the correct routing and account numbers and the right deposit date. If the numbers were wrong, the deposit is usually returned to the employer, who can resend it once it is corrected.

You loaded the wrong card

Contact customer service right away with the receipt. Reloads applied to the wrong card can be difficult to reverse, so double-check the card before handing it over at the register.

Using reloads as a budgeting tool

A reloadable prepaid card can work as a simple "envelope" budget. Load a fixed amount each week or month for a category such as groceries, fuel or a teenager's allowance, and spend only from the card for that category. When the balance runs out, you've reached your limit. This works best when reloads are free or cheap, such as through direct deposit, so check the costs first.

Smart reloading habits

• Load only what you plan to spend soon, especially if your card has a monthly fee.
• Keep every reload receipt until the funds appear.
• Check your balance after each reload to confirm the right amount arrived.
• Use only reload methods listed on the official SecureSpend website.
• If a reload doesn't appear, contact customer service with your receipt. Don't reload again to "test" it.