The Prepaid Debit Card program has been developed to allow researchers to pay their participants using a prepaid visa card.
Eligible studies may enroll in one of the following programs. Study participants receive compensation simply and securely through a prepaid Visa debit card.
Our research team has been very happy using the US Bank Card reloadable Focus Blue Visa cards to pay our study participants since February 2023. A main benefit of this program is that there is no charge to the grant for the cards or for loading payments. In addition, the financial management team who supports the program is very helpful and responsive to questions and concerns.
Larry Hawk, Psychology
Program 1: Reloadable Card | Program 2: | Program 3: | |
---|---|---|---|
Anonymous: | Name not printed on card, but personal information is collected to register | Name not associated with digital reward, but email is required to activate | Yes |
Type of Card: | Physical, plastic card | Activated by consumer via website. Email is sent with authorization code | Physical, plastic card |
Reloadable with Additional Funds: | Yes | No | No |
Replaceable if Lost: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Technology Required to Activate: | Email address, access to the Internet, or phone | Email address and Access to Internet | Phone number or Access to Internet |
Subject Participant's Information Required to Register: | First name, last name, physical mailing address, DOB | Email address | None |
IRB Approval Required: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Subject's SSN Required*: | No | No | No |
Taxable Income Reporting Form Required: | No | No | No |
Release of Funds (48 hours max approval): | Instant | Instant | Instant |
Cash Access: | Yes (ATM fees apply) | No | No |
Where to Use: | ATM, anywhere Visa Credit or Debit cards are accepted (in-person and online) | Redeemable via online retailers accepting Visa Debit Cards | Anywhere Visa Credit or Debit cards are accepted (in-person and online) |
Initial Cost per Card: | No cost | $1.00 per card | $1.50 per card |
Cost of Replacement Card: | No cost | No cost | $15.00 per card |
Inactivity Fee: | $2.00 per month after 365 days of no activity | does not apply | does not apply |
Monthly Maintenace Fee: | does not apply | does not apply | $3.00 per month begins after 12 months |
*In general, the SSN isn’t required, however, if a subject receives payments of $600 or more in a calendar year then the SSN will be required at that point via completion of the W-9 or W-8 tax form. |
Research Foundation (RF) Studies meeting the following criteria are eligible to enroll in the program:
To apply for the program the following information must be provided through the on line application:
After submitting the form, the information will be reviewed by Financial Management staff and the following steps will take place:
Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for reconciliation of cards disbursed (subject identifier, dollar amount, and date).
For sponsored awards: PIs are required to provide monthly reconciliation documents to the Sponsored Project Services (SPS) Award Analyst.
For non-sponsored awards: PIs are required to provide monthly reconciliation documents to the Non-Sponsored Group.
Any undistributed funds will be returned to the originating award upon the completion of the study.
For information on activating your card, tracking your balance, and reloading your card, visit: www.usbankfocus.com, call 888-863-0681 (U.S. Bank accepts relay calls), or use the mobile app.
You can use this card anywhere Visa® Debit Cards are accepted for purchases, to pay bills directly through your biller, or to get cash either from a bank, ATM, or cash back on purchases.
If you receive a new replacement card, you must re-enroll the new card on the cardholder website or mobile app in order to gain access to your account.
Replacement cards and important notifications are mailed to thee address U.S. Bank has on file. View your account profile at www.usbankfocus.com. Please note that updating your address with the University at Buffalo will not update your U.S. Bank Card profile information.
For more information, visit the vendor’s website: https://www.prepaidmaterials.com/usbankfocus.html
Valerie Dennis
Asset Management, Card Programs and eProcurement
Financial Management
Phone: 716-645-2604
Email: vlb5@buffalo.edu
Kevin Ragland
Procurement Card Administration, Financial Management
Phone: 716-645-1346