thread Re: I accept edd issued debit cards with the visa logo. Why are they declined. in Payments Troubleshooting

My card reader won't accept a unemployment pay cards

OzarkTaxi — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:38:22 GMT

I just had a question why my card reader will not accept unemployment pay cards

Re: My card reader won't accept a unemployment pay cards

GlassJudy — Tue, 07 May 2019 05:24:41 GMT

See this site which lists all of the credit/debit cards that Square will accept. If the cards aren't on the list, Square can't allow them to be accepted as payment.

Re: My card reader won't accept a unemployment pay cards

VanKalkerFarms — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:47:57 GMT

This could be related to your merchant category code, similar to accepting Health savings cards. I think they are visa debit cards in most states so they should work. you could give Square Support a call and see if they have any suggestions.

You'll need your customer code to call. Follow the instructions below on how to get it.

https://squareup.com/help/contact

Click “More”

Click "I don't see my issue"

Click "Call Support"

Write down your Customer Code

Call 1 855 700 6000

Depending on your specific account, you might not have phone support available, or you might have limited hours of support. If your account doesn't have phone support, Email is the only way to communicate so that there is proper documentation of the conversations.

if you have a smartphone you can program the phone number with the code into your phone so it will be there next time, store it like this 1 855 700 6000,,xxxxxxxxxxxx. (your code goes where the xs are)(remove the spaces in the phone number). The commas tell the phone to wait 3 seconds each and will automatically enter it for you. Once you set this up one time it is there for all future needs and you won't have to go get your code again.

Can I accept unemployment cards?

Marisa60 — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 13:10:49 GMT

In the past few months, several customers have had their transactions declined while trying to pay me with Their unemployment benefit Cards, Mag Stripe cards issued by BofA. Why is this happening? And how can I accept their payments.

Re: Can I accept unemployment cards?

ashc — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 13:12:30 GMT

Heya @Marisa60 and welcome to the Community.

I moved your post to an existing thread where another seller had the same question.

We typically do not accept government issued cards like unemployment cards but your customer can reach out to the card issuer to see the exact reason for the decline.

Re: I accept edd issued debit cards with the visa logo. Why are they declined.

Marisa60 — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 04:15:57 GMT

These cards are carried by a lot of my loyal clients these days, why are they declined? This has happened 3 times in the last month. The cards are administered by the Bank of America and are considered to hold the same utility as debit cards. Why does square decline these.

Re: I accept edd issued debit cards with the visa logo. Why are they declined.

Marisa60 — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 04:17:13 GMT

They are inscribed with the visa logo.