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Starting July 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood will officially become the lead agency for Child Care Licensing, Head Start State Collaboration Office Grant, Home Visiting, Early Intervention and the Child Care Assistance Program, Early Childhood Block Grant, and a range of other early childhood support to families, providers and educators.

Should you have any questions related to this transition please reference our Transition FAQ’s (PDF). Should you need further support visit our Contact page where you can submit your questions. We are excited to continue this journey with you!

Illinois Debit Master Card

The Illinois Debit MasterCard® - A Better Way to Receive Your Provider Payment

The Illinois Debit MasterCard® card is a fast, convenient and secure method of receiving your payments.

IDEC offers this program for licensed and licensed-exempt home Child Care Providers. 

Benefits of the Illinois Debit MasterCard®

  • Payments Available Quickly - no waiting for a check in the mail. Your payments are posted directly to your debit card.
  • Get Cash Faster - No trip to the currency exchange to cash your check.  Get cash at ATMs, at bank teller windows, or at your favorite merchant location displaying the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.
  • Shop with it - Use your Illinois Debit MasterCard® at merchant locations worldwide, wherever the MasterCard® Acceptance Mark is displayed. You may also ask for "cash back" with your purchase. There are no charges for point-of-sale transactions using your signature or PIN.
  • Notification of Payments - Sign up to receive phone or email notifications when payments are loaded to your account.
  • Receive Monthly Statements - A monthly paper statement will itemize and track payments for services you perform and your purchases or withdrawals. 
  • Secure - You must authorize DHS to deposit your payments to your Illinois Debit MasterCard® account. Your account is protected by YOUR secret code (PIN) and is FDIC insured.

Special Features Available to You

  • Automated Deposit Notification - Select this feature from the web or toll free number to activate, and receive notification by phone, text or email.
  • Low Balance Alert - Select this feature from the toll free number and have the system send you an alert by phone, text, or email when your balance falls below this level.
  • Monthly Paper Statements - Your monthly statement is mailed to the personal address of your Illinois Debit MasterCard account.

Get Started Today

If you are a licensed or licensed-exempt Child Care Provider or a Division of Rehabilitation Services Personal Assistants, you can Sign-up now for the Illinois Debit MasterCard®. 

Sign Up for Illinois Debit MasterCard

Receiving Payments

Your payments will be deposited to your Illinois Debit MasterCard® account. You won't have to wait for your check in the mail.

Activate your Illinois Debit MasterCard in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1 - Select your Personal Identification Number (PIN) by calling the toll-free number on the sticker on the card. When prompted,

  • Enter your card number.
  • Enter the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • Enter your 5 digit zip code.
  • Select a four digit PIN.
  • Enter it a second time to verify.

Step 2 - Remember your PIN! You must have your PIN to use your card. Remember, we will never ask you for your PIN; never tell anyone your PIN. Read your enclosed Disclosure Statement to know your rights and responsibilities as a cardholder.

Step 3 - Sign your name in ink on the back of your card.

Making Purchases

When you use your card to make a purchase, the purchase price will be deducted from your account. There is no ATM fees for purchases at stores. You may not spend more than the amount of the funds posted to your account.

How to Get Cash Back

You can request cash back above the amount of your purchase at stores who offer this benefit. Enter the cash amount on the keypad or tell the cashier the amount of cash you need.

How to Get Cash from a Teller in a Bank or Credit Union

  • Hand your card to the teller in a bank displaying the MasterCard Acceptance Mark
  • Tell them how much cash you want
  • You may be asked to sign a receipt
  • There is no fee to get cash from a teller

Hot to Get Cash at an ATM

  • Insert the debit card and enter your PIN
  • Press either the checking or savings button on the ATM
  • Select "Cash Withdrawal."
  • Enter the amount of cash you want and press "Enter."

Frequently Asked Questions

For existing customers, call the Illinois Debit Call Center at 1-866-338-2944 for support with the following: 
  • A Lost or Stolen Debit Card
  • Debit Card Transactions
  • Deposit Confirmations
  • Deposit Disputes
  • EPPICard Website Questions
  • Monthly Statements

For questions related to payments, you may also call the automated Provider Help Line at 1-800-804-3833. Call this number if you have questions about the following:

  • The amount of payment for a specific month
  • The status of payments (entered, approved, issued)
  • The date the Illinois Office of the Comptroller issued the payment. Please be aware that the Bank has up to two working days to post payments to your card from the time the Comptroller issues the payment. (note issued payment information doesn’t appear on 800-804-3833 until two working days after the payment is issued, and this month they haven’t came over at all yet.

Not seeing a payment? Visit the Illinois Comptroller's site at illinoiscomptroller.gov. On the main IOC page go to the Vendor Services Tab.

  • In the Vendor Services Tab, click on Vendor Payments.
  • then enter your SSN or FEIN, your name and select the correct security image, and click submit.  
  • The next page will show your issued payments.