- Look at your card. A Comerica logo on the front means a Comerica card. Text on the back saying “This card is issued by Fifth Third Bank” means a Fifth Third card.
- The Treasury says there are no monthly fees or overdraft fees, no fee for purchases, cash back or cash from a bank, and one free ATM withdrawal for each deposit posted to your account.
- For a lost or stolen card, call the number for your card type. Report it within two business days and your loss for unauthorized use is limited to $50.
- The Direct Express site says the new card does not change the amount or timing of your benefits.
Which bank issued your card
The U.S. Treasury’s Direct Express page, last updated September 1, 2026, says Fifth Third Bank issues the Direct Express Debit Mastercard. Cards from the earlier issuer, Comerica Bank, are still in use. The Direct Express terms and fees page explains how to tell them apart:
| Card | How to recognize it |
|---|---|
| Comerica Bank | The Comerica logo is on the front of the card. |
| Fifth Third Bank | Text on the back says “This card is issued by Fifth Third Bank.” |
This matters because the fee schedule published on the Direct Express site is the Comerica one. The page does not show a separate Fifth Third schedule, so if you have a Fifth Third card, read the terms that came with it before you count on any fee below. The Direct Express FAQ also says your new card does not change the amount or timing of your benefits.
What the Treasury says about fees
The Treasury’s Direct Express brochure, last updated September 1, 2026, lists these uses as free:
- Signing up, with no monthly fee and no overdraft fee.
- Purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted.
- Cash back with a purchase.
- Cash from a bank or credit union.
- One free ATM cash withdrawal for each deposit posted to your card account each month. ATM owners outside the network may charge their own fee.
The brochure adds that a few other services have small fees and does not list the amounts. Those amounts are in the schedule below.
The Comerica fee schedule
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| U.S. ATM withdrawal | One free with each federal deposit to your card account, expiring on the last day of the following month. After that, $0.85 per withdrawal, plus any ATM owner surcharge. |
| Cash back with a purchase | Free |
| Cash from a teller | Free |
| Direct Express Cash Access at Walmart Money Services or Customer Service | $0.85 per transaction. The page says no additional Walmart fees apply. |
| Transfer to your personal U.S. bank account | $1.50 each time |
| Paper statement mailed | $0.75 each month |
| Replacement card | One free per year, then $4.00 |
| Expedited delivery of a replacement card | $13.50 each time |
| International ATM withdrawal | $3.00 plus 3% of the amount, plus any ATM owner surcharge |
| International merchant purchase | 3% of the purchase amount |
The two sources word the free ATM withdrawal slightly differently: the terms page ties it to each federal deposit and says it expires at the end of the following month, while the Treasury brochure says one for each deposit posted each month. If your balance and fees matter, check the date on your own statement or ask customer service.
What it costs to get $100
These totals are our own arithmetic using the Comerica schedule above.
| Way to get $100 | Cost |
|---|---|
| Your free ATM withdrawal | $0, plus any ATM owner surcharge |
| A later ATM withdrawal | $0.85, plus any ATM owner surcharge |
| Cash back at a store checkout, or cash from a teller | $0 |
| Cash Access at Walmart | $0.85 |
| Transfer to your own bank account | $1.50 |
| International ATM withdrawal | $6.00 ($3.00 plus 3% of $100), plus any ATM owner surcharge |
If you are traveling, the international fees in these tables apply. Our guide to using cards abroad covers what to check before you go.
Phone numbers
| Purpose | Number |
|---|---|
| Customer service, card starting with 5332 (24 hours) | 1-888-741-1115 |
| Customer service, card starting with 5141 (24 hours) | 1-833-347-9777 |
| Lost or stolen, Fifth Third card | Primary 1-833-347-9777, international 1-678-256-8700, TTY 1-866-444-1000 |
| Lost or stolen, Comerica card | Primary 1-888-741-1115, international 1-765-778-6290, TTY 1-866-569-0447 |
| Enrollment Center (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, Monday to Friday) | 1-800-333-1795 |
TTY users should first connect with a relay operator and then ask the operator to dial the TTY number.
If the card is lost or stolen
- If the card may only be misplaced, log in online or in the app and use Lock Card. While it is locked, nobody can make purchases or cash withdrawals. Locking also temporarily blocks PIN, password and username changes.
- If it is lost or stolen for good, call the number for your card type right away.
- Expect the replacement by standard mail within 3 to 5 business days after you report it. The page says fees may apply and does not list amounts, so check your cardholder agreement.
- Read your transaction history and report any charge or transfer you did not make.
| When you report | What you can lose |
|---|---|
| Within two business days | No more than $50 |
| After two business days, if the company can show it could have stopped the loss had you reported sooner | Up to $500 |
| A problem you do not report within 120 days | You may not get the money back if the company can show it could have stopped the loss. Extensions may apply for reasons such as extended travel, a hospital stay or serious illness. |
The page does not say how to reach your money while you wait for the replacement. Ask customer service on the number above what options are open to you.
Loans and cash advances
The Treasury brochure and the fee schedule describe the card as a way to receive and spend your own benefit money. Neither lists a loan, a cash advance or an overdraft service, and the brochure says there are no overdraft fees. The brochure also gives no way to add money beyond the automatic deposits made on payment dates.
If a website, text or caller says it can load a Direct Express advance onto your card, check it with the number on the back of your card before you share any card details or pay any fee.
When the balance reaches $0 before the next deposit, a small cushion helps; see how to build an emergency fund.
What we could not confirm
When we checked on October 26, 2026, the older Direct Express FAQ pages did not open, so this guide makes no claim about daily ATM limits, the size of the free ATM network or garnishment rules. Social Security’s own pages also did not open, so we left out details about emergency or immediate payments. If you need those, ask Direct Express customer service or the agency that pays your benefit.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the Direct Express card now?
The Treasury’s Direct Express page, last updated September 1, 2026, says Fifth Third Bank issues the Direct Express Debit Mastercard. Comerica Bank cards are still in use and have the Comerica logo on the front.
How do I tell if I have a Comerica or a Fifth Third card?
The Direct Express terms and fees page says Comerica cards have the Comerica logo on the front, and Fifth Third cards have text on the back saying “This card is issued by Fifth Third Bank.”
What number do I call for a lost Direct Express card?
For a Fifth Third card the lost or stolen number is 1-833-347-9777. For a Comerica card it is 1-888-741-1115. Both are also the customer service numbers by card prefix: 5141 and 5332 respectively.
How long does a replacement card take?
The lost or stolen card page says to expect the replacement by standard mail within 3 to 5 business days after you report the card. It says fees may apply and does not list amounts.
How much can I lose if someone uses my lost card?
Report within two business days and you can lose no more than $50. After that it can be up to $500 if the company shows it could have stopped the loss, and problems not reported within 120 days may not be refunded.
Are there monthly or overdraft fees?
The Treasury brochure says there are no monthly fees or overdraft fees.
Does Direct Express offer a cash advance?
The Treasury brochure and the fee schedule list no loan, cash advance or overdraft service. Check with customer service before accepting any offer to load an advance onto the card.
Sources
- U.S. Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service: Direct Express (last updated September 1, 2026)
- U.S. Treasury: Direct Express brochure (last updated September 1, 2026)
- Direct Express: Terms and fees (Comerica Bank fee schedule)
- Direct Express: Lost or stolen card
- Direct Express: Frequently asked questions
Each source was opened and read on October 26, 2026. See how we verify.