Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®
Pay billsDisclaimer number 114. Scroll to bottom of page.. Make purchases. Earn cash rewardsDisclaimer number 111. Scroll to bottom of page. and more. Learn more and apply now for the award-winning Emerald Card.
You Can Also Give Your Money Versatility
Put your tax refund or Refund Anticipation Check119 directly on an Emerald Card and use it everywhere Debit MasterCard® cards are accepted.
Save Money and Avoid Fees
Make purchases, pay bills114 and get cash at ATMs.117 No setup fee, no monthly activity fee, no overdraft fee, no fees on purchases, or customer service calls. Keep more of your hard-earned money to use on whatever you want.
View a chart of all fees
Get Rewards Offers
H&R Block Emerald Cash Rewards® are loaded111 on your Emerald Card for making everyday purchases.
A Card that Works Year-Round
Open
No fees to open. Visit a tax office and leave with a year-round banking solution.
Load
Add payroll, government benefits, cash118 and checks124, anytime all year long.
Go
Make purchases anywhere and access your money with MoneyPass ATMs.117
Track
Keep track of your account 24/7 using our online and mobile tools.
Easily Add Money
Direct Deposit For Faster Access
Avoid check cashing fees with Direct Deposit of your payroll, unemployment or government benefits and have immediate access to your money on payday.113
Approved Reload Networks
You can increase the available balance on your card whenever you wish by reloading at thousands of Vanilla Reload, MoneyGram®, Green Dot®, and Western Union® agent locations.118
Check to Card
Use the H&R Block Emerald Mobile Banking App™ and load checks onto your card with your smartphone. Get immediate access to your money after the check is approved.124
Transfer money to your Card by linkingDisclaimer number 131. Scroll to bottom of page.
- A Debit Card — there's no additional cost and funds are loaded instantly.
- A Checking Account — at no additional cost and funds are loaded within four business days.
Use it Anywhere You Go
Make Purchases
Use anywhere Debit MasterCard cards are accepted.
Cash Back with Purchase
Get cash back with purchase at many merchants, generally without a fee135, including grocery, drug and discount stores.
ATM Cash Withdrawal
Get cash anytime, 24 hours a day at more than 400,000 ATM locations displaying the MasterCard Acceptance Mark. You can avoid additional network fees by getting cash at over 24,000 ATMs nationwide which are located in many convenient national retail locations.117
Turns Everyday Purchases into Rewards Offers
H&R Block Emerald Cash Rewards gives you111 cash rewards at your favorite stores. All you have to do is shop with your card. No coupons to cut, or points to track – ever.
Speed Through Bills
Save time paying bills with our fast and easy mobile and online tools.114
Safer than carrying cash
Your money is FDIC insured and the U.S. MasterCard Zero Liability policy protects you from unauthorized purchases, theft and fraud.121
Access Card Information
Manage everything online
Our online access lets you check balances, transactions, statements, and other card information 24 hours a day.
Take banking mobile
The H&R Block Emerald Mobile Banking App™ lets you check balances, transactions and make payments wherever you go. You can also sign up for Text alerts to request your balance, get alerts when funds are loaded or removed, and receive alerts on new products.120
Learn More
Add a Cardholder
Share an Emerald Card with a spouse or family member. Each cardholder will have their own card and unique card number but share the same balanceDisclaimer number 137. Scroll to bottom of page.. All funds added to the account are available for both cardholders, and transactions on the card account will reflect the activity of both cards. Learn More
Contact us
There's no charge for contacting us. Call 1-866-353-1266
Keep More of Your Hard-Earned Money with the Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®
- No annual fee
- No monthly activity fee
- No overdraft fees
- No fee to make a purchase
- No fee to request a card with your name on it
- No fee to call customer service
- No fee for text messages updates120
| Cost of Service | |
| Set – Up Fee | NONE |
| Monthly Activity Charge | NONE |
| Add Money | |
| Direct Deposit | NONE |
| Cash Reload at Retail Location | Varies by location, up to $4.95118 |
| From A Bank Account | NONE |
| Mobile Check To Card | Printed Payroll or Government Checks (2% fee; minimum check fee of $2.00) Personal, Handwritten, and All Other Checks (4% fee; minimum check fee of $2.00) 124 |
| External Bank Transfers | NONE |
| Get Cash | |
| Cash Back at Store | NONE |
| From ATM | $2.50 Per Withdrawal117 |
| Over the Counter Withdrawal | $35.00 |
| Request Check or One Time ACH | NONE |
| Spend Money | |
| Signature | NONE |
| PIN | NONE |
| Online/Mobile Bill Pay | Regular Delivery: $0.95 per transaction Expedited Electronic payments: $2.00 per transaction Expedited check payments: $15.00 per transaction |
| Information | |
| Call Customer Service (866-353-1266) |
Automated IVR Access:NONE Live Agent:NONE |
| Online Customer Service | NONE |
| Mobile Customer Service | Mobile Text Updates:NONE120 Emerald Mobile Banking App™:NONE |
| ATM Balance Inquiry | $1.50 per inquiry |
| Statements | Online Statement, NONE Paper statement upon request, NONE |
| Other | |
| Decline at ATM | $1.50 |
| Monthly Inactivity (After 2 Months of Inactivity) | $4.95 |
| Replacement Card (Lost, Stolen or Damaged) | NONE If expedited delivery, $35.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®?
The Emerald Card is a reloadable prepaid debit card for receiving and using your tax refund, or loading money to your card year-round. The card can be used anywhere debit MasterCard® cards are accepted. You can also add money to your card at any time through direct deposit (payroll, unemployment or government benefits), load checks through our mobile banking app114, transfer money from a linked account or add cash at participating retail reloading locations.124
Where can I use my H&R Block Emerald Card?
You can use your card to buy things like groceries, gas, clothes, gifts, books, movies – anywhere Debit MasterCard cards are accepted. Use it for phone and internet purchases or to pay your bills114 online. Get cash at any ATM that displays the MasterCard Brand mark. Avoid ATM owner surcharge fees by getting cash at over 24,000 MoneyPass ATMs displaying the MoneyPass logo.117 The ATM withdrawal fee noted in your Cardholder Agreement still applies.
How does my card differ from a credit card?
The H&R Block Emerald Card is not a credit card, it is a prepaid debit card. Only funds that you have loaded or that have been loaded by someone else at your direction onto your prepaid card are available to spend. There is no credit component to a prepaid card and no credit check, bank account or bank history check is required. You can use your card anywhere debit MasterCard cards are accepted.
How can I get an H&R Block Emerald Card?
You may apply at your nearest participating H&R Block tax office. Your card will automatically activate once your funds have been loaded.
How can I add money to my H&R Block Emerald Card?
Adding money to your card is fast through direct deposit and there is no fee. Just ask your employer if they participate and give them a complete copy of the Direct Deposit Authorization Form. For a personalized authorization form, login to Emerald Online at hrblock.com/emeraldcard. You can also load money from paychecks, government benefits checks and personal checks to your card anywhere and at anytime with the H&R Block Mobile Banking App™.124 And, you can add money to your card any time at a participating retail reloading location through the Green Dot®, MoneyGram® and Western Union® networks.118
I want to get cash with my H&R Block Emerald Card. How can I do that?
Many merchants, including grocery, drug and discount stores, will allow you to get cash back with a purchase at the point of sale135 for no charge. You can also get cash 24 hours a day at more than 420 thousand ATMs displaying the MasterCard brand mark. Select "withdraw from checking" to access. Please note, a fee may be charged by the ATM owner as well. Avoid ATM owner surcharge fees117 by using your Emerald Card at any ATM with the MoneyPass logo. You now have access to over 24,000 ATMs nationwide which are located in many convenient national retail locations. The ATM withdrawal fee noted in your Cardholder Agreement still applies.
Can I use my H&R Block Emerald Card to pay for gas at the pump?
Not at this time, however, you can go inside and give your card to the cashier, tell them how much gas you plan to purchase and have them swipe your card to authorize the purchase.
Whom (or What number) can I call if I have questions after I receive my H&R Block Emerald Card?
Please call the Emerald Card Call Center at 1-866-353-1266.
Do you offer card support in Spanish? (¿Usted ofrece la ayuda en español?)
Yes. Call 1-866-353-1266. (Si. Llame 1-866-353-1266.)
How can I get an answer to an H&R Block Emerald Card question not addressed here?
Please call 1-866-353-1266 for answers to all your questions regarding the Emerald Card or see your copy of the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard Cardholder Agreement.
Joint Card
How can someone apply for a Joint Card?
You can apply for a Joint Card through Emerald Online. Click on “Manage My Card Account” and then select the “Manage My Card” tab. At the bottom of the screen, select “Get Started”. After the existing cardholder authorizes adding a joint owner to their card account, the person they are adding follows the prompts and enters their personal information into the system. If approved, a personalized card will be sent to the new joint owner within 7-10 business days.
Who can apply for a Joint Card?
To apply, the joint cardholder must be the legal age of majority for his or her state of residence(18 in most states, 19 in NE and AL and 21 in Puerto Rico) and must meet other requirements.
How many people can be added as Joint Cardholders?
One person may be added as a Joint Cardholder to an existing Card Account.
Can two current Emerald Card cardholders be merged into one single Joint Card account?
No. In this case, one of the Emerald Card cardholders would need to add the other as a Joint Cardholder to his or her existing Card Account using the “Manage My Card Account” link in Emerald Online.
Can one person be a Joint Cardholder for more than one card account?
No. An individual can only be a Joint Cardholder for one card account. However, one person can have their own individual Emerald Card and be a Joint Cardholder for a second card account.
Who can be added as a Joint Cardholder?
Anyone can apply to be added as a Joint Cardholder, as long as they are the legal age of majority for their state of residence (18 in most states, 19 in NE and AL and 21 in Puerto Rico) and meet other requirements. You do not have to be married or related to be added as a Joint Cardholder. Each Joint Cardholder will have his or her own unique profile (address, phone, alerts settings and passwords).
Can both Joint Cardholders make a draw on an Emerald Advance?
No. Only the Emerald Advance borrower can draw funds and load them to the Joint Card account. Once the money has been loaded onto the card account, both Joint Cardholders will have access to the funds.
Do both Joint Cardholders own the funds in the Card Account?
Yes. Any funds loaded to the Card Account are owned by and can be used by either cardholder.
Will both Joint Cardholders share the same Emerald Online and Mobile App login?
No. The new joint cardholder will need to create his or her own individual username and password once they receive the card.
Will both Joint Cardholders have the same card number?
No. Each will have unique card numbers.
Will Joint Cardholders share the same PIN?
No. Each can create their own unique PIN associated with their card.
Will Joint Cardholders be able to view transactions for both cards?
Yes. Joint Cardholders can view transaction history for both cards in Emerald Online or in the Mobile App. A history of transactions will be listed by the last 4 digits of the card number.
Can a Joint Cardholder transfer funds from an Emerald Savings account owned by the other Cardholder?
No. Only the Emerald Savings account owner can transfer funds into the Joint Card account. Once the money has been transferred to the card account, both Joint Cardholders will have access to the funds.
Can both Joint Cardholders transfer funds from a Linked Account?
Each Joint Cardholder must setup their own individual Linked Account. They will only be able to transfer funds from their own Linked Account in their own Emerald Card online profile. Once the money has been loaded onto the Emerald Card account, both Joint Cardholders will have access to the funds.
Can each Joint Cardholder receive text and email alerts on the other person’s transactions?
No. The cardholder will only receive text and email alerts on the transactions from their card.
If either cardholder has an Emerald Advance, are the funds in the Joint Card Account subject to Emerald Advance Pay down?
Yes.
Can one person be removed from a Joint Card Account?
No, if one person needs to be removed, the entire card account will be closed and a check, made payable to both joint owners, for the remaining funds will be sent to the cardholder that requested the closing of the card account.
Do both Joint Cardholders get Emerald Cash Rewards Offers?
Yes. The Rewards Offers will be unique to the individual cardholder. However, once Rewards offers are loaded to the card account, both cardholders will have access to the funds.
Will the Emerald Card Personal Profiles be shared or unique for the Joint Cardholder?
Each cardholder will have a unique Personal Profile.
SECURITY
How secure is the H&R Block Emerald Card?
Using your Emerald Card is safer than carrying cash, and the funds associated with your card are FDIC insured. You can also shop with confidence knowing the U.S. MasterCard Zero Liability policy121 protects you against unauthorized purchases.
Are the funds on my H&R Block Emerald Card FDIC insured?
Yes, your Emerald Card balance is FDIC insured up to $250,000 per cardholder.
What if I lose my H&R Block Emerald Card?
Call 1-866-353-1266 to report a lost or stolen card.
How do I change my PIN for my H&R Block Emerald Card?
If you have forgotten your PIN or wish to change it, call 1-866-353-1266 or go online to Emerald Online.
I forgot my PIN. How can I get it?
For security reasons, we do not have access to your PIN. Call 1-866-353-1266 or login to Emerald Online to have your PIN reset.
ADDITIONAL CARDS
Can I have more than one H&R Block Emerald Card?
For your security and protection, we will only issue and activate one Emerald Card at a time. Therefore, if you have an instant issue card (where the name is not printed on the card), and you request a personalized card, the instant issue card will automatically deactivate and will no longer be useable once your personalized card is activated. You cannot have both an instant issue and a personalized card in active status at the same time.
TRANSACTIONS
How do I check the amount available on my H&R Block Emerald Card?
You can access your Emerald Card information, including purchases and balance information 24 hours a day.
- Mobile Updates - A simple way to track your balance and transactions is through text message alerts.120 Enroll onlineor call 1-866-353-1266.
- Request your balance anytime, anywhere by texting "BAL" to 42265.
- Receive alerts when funds are loaded or removed from your card.
- Receive alerts when H&R Block Bank has new products or services that may interest you as a cardholder.
- H&R Block Mobile Banking App™ - Track your account, find the nearest money-saving ATMs,117 pay bills,114 load funds from checks124 anytime, view cash rewards offers and enroll in Mobile Updates.120
- Call 1-866-353-1266
- Check online at Emerald Online.
How do I view my transaction history and statement for my H&R Block Emerald Card?
View your statement and recent transactions at: Emerald Online. or by calling 1-866-353-1266. You can request a paper copy of your statement to be sent to you at no charge.
When I view my transaction history, what does "pending" mean next to some of my purchases
A notice of "pending" next to a merchant's name on the transaction history means that we have received notice from the merchant that you spent that amount at that store or Web site, but the merchant hasn't yet transmitted the final amount for payment. This notice is called an authorization and it's done to make sure that your card is valid and to tell us to put the amount of your purchase on hold until the merchant transmits the final transaction amount for payment. When we receive that final notification (usually within three days of the purchase) the transaction is considered "settled" or "posted" and the total amount of that transaction is deducted from your balance. Basically, during the authorization phase, the funds will be on hold and not available until released by the merchant.
Why is there an unfamiliar merchant name listed on my statement? I don't remember shopping there?
There are several reasons why this might happen. Some stores are part of a larger corporation that may have a different name than the store name. Other merchants choose to do their card processing under a different company name. However, if you see a transaction that doesn't match up with any recent purchases, call us at 1-866-353-1266 to file a dispute.
What if I disagree with a transaction that has posted to my account?
Please contact us as soon as possible at 1-866-353-1266 to minimize your losses. If you contact us within 2 business days you can lose no more than $50.00 if someone used your card without your permission. If you contact us about a dispute and request an affidavit, one will be provided to you. Or, you can submit your dispute in writing to Cardholder Customer Service, PO Box 10170, Kansas City, MO 64171.
What are the fees associated with my H&R Block Emerald Card?
What are the daily limits for the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®?
Check your Cardholder Agreement for a complete list of limits. H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard Cardholder Agreement. In general, the maximum cumulative amount per day that may be withdrawn from an ATM is $3,000.00. The maximum that can be spent on your card per day is $3,500.00.
What if I don't have enough money on my card? Can I make a purchase?
Yes, you may be able to use another form of payment and your card. Tell the clerk at the store you want to pay part of the total purchase amount with the card and then pay the remaining amount by cash or other method that the merchant accepts.
Can my H&R Block Emerald Card ever carry a negative balance?
No. You are not allowed to exceed the available amount on your card. However, if your card balance should ever become negative, you will be responsible for repaying the amount of the negative balance and any applicable fees or charges.
What happens if there is still money on my card when it expires?
If a balance remains on your Card after expiration, we have the right, in our discretion, to either mail a check or issue a new Card, in each case, totaling the remaining balance, minus any applicable fees, to the address we have on record for you. For additional details, refer to your H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard Cardholder Agreement.
Consumer Champion Winner at The 2015 Paybefore Awards
The Emerald Card was named Consumer Champion Winner by industry publication Paybefore for being the card or program that delivers the best consumer value proposition for features, functionality, service and price.
The H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard® is issued by H&R Block Bank, a Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license by MasterCard® International Incorporated. MasterCard® is a registered trademark of MasterCard® International Incorporated. Not available at all locations and to all applicants. Additional fees, terms and conditions apply. ID verification required. Consult your cardholder agreement for details on fees, terms and conditions. ©2015 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
Need Live Support? 1-800-HRBLOCK (1-800-472-5625) or Find An Office