Introducing a new way to get paid, and a new way to pay – UDW is excited to announce our newest member benefit, the Focus CardTM. Get your IHSS pay directly deposited onto your very own debit Mastercard® to save time and money.
Did you know that nearly 70% of IHSS providers still receive paper checks?
Direct deposit allows you to avoid lost or delayed paper checks, and check cashing fees from predatory lending companies. But you can’t sign up for direct deposit if you don’t have a bank account.
Until now.
Sign up for the Focus Card today, and enjoy the perks of direct deposit without unnecessary credit checks. You can use your card anywhere that debit Mastercard is accepted, and because it’s not a bank account or credit card, you can can’t spend more than you have.
“The Focus Card is awesome! I went to US Bank and used the ATM and they didn’t charge me a fee. I ordered stuff online – I didn’t have any problems. I get the text alerts on my phone, so anytime I use my card it will tell me what I spend and what I have left. I can text BAL and my balance will be sent to me. It’s like someone’s sitting there waiting for you to text them so you can get that information right away. The sign-up process was easy – I did everything right away and I didn’t have to call anybody for any information. And I received my check at least three business days faster than when I was receiving paper checks!”
– Dametrie Williams, provider in Riverside County
We worked hard to find a prepaid card that works for you. Enjoy low and no fees for common transactions, easy online access to your account, and 24/7 customer service.
To get started, follow these three simple steps:
- Sign up for your Focus Card
Visit www.udwa.org/prepaidcard to request your Focus Card. Once you’ve completed the enrollment and your request is accepted, you should receive your card in a plain, white envelope with an Indianapolis, IN return address in 7-10 business days.
- Enroll in direct deposit
You will receive your Focus Card account and routing numbers upon enrollment. Once you have this information, fill out the state’s IHSS direct deposit form available at www.udwa.org/directdeposit, and submit the form to the state.
- Use your card
Proudly use your Focus Card everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including in stores, online, and over the phone. You also have several ways to get cash, pay bills, and track your spending.
Learn more and get your card today!
Be sure to check out the FAQs and cardholder agreement at www.usbankfocus.com. Click here to view the fees schedule.
The Focus Card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. © 2017 U.S. Bank. Member FDIC.
1999-2008: UDW caregivers win our collective bargaining rights and transform our union to one for caregivers by caregivers. We also win direct deposit for our IHSS paychecks!
2009: UDW stops Governor Schwarzeneggar’s attempt to decrease the state’s contribution to our wages and benefits and put unfair limits on who can receive car
2010: Together we stop Governor Schwarzeneggar from eliminating IHSS entirely.
2011:
- We also win legislation that both ends timesheet fingerprint requirements, and requires counties to give us our background check results and appeals information.
- We successfully urge lawmakers to protect IHSS by finding new funding when Governor Brown tries to end certain vital services and cut recipient hours by 12%
2012: UDW and home care advocates file lawsuits to stop Governor Brown’s proposed 20% cut to IHSS.
2013:
- We settle three lawsuits – putting an end to massive IHSS cuts proposed by both governors in 2009 and 2012. The settlement includes a one-year 8% cut, and an ongoing 7% cut.
- The U.S. Department of Labor updates the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to extend overtime pay to home care workers after decades of exclusion.
2014: We block Governor Brown’s attempt to limit provides to 40 hours per week and avoid paying us overtime. 
2015:
- UDW caregivers successfully end the 7% cut to our client’s hours for one year.
- After months of intense pressure by UDW caregivers, the state announces that overtime, travel time, and medical wait time pay will begin February 2016.
- UDW wins legislation requiring training for law enforcement on how to better interact with people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders – keeping people with disabilities safer in our communities.
2016:
- Once again, we stop the 7% cut – this time through 2019
- UDW caregivers fight alongside other low-wage workers for a law that increases California’s minimum wage to $15 by 2022, and gives providers paid sick leave for the first time ever.
- We take action to fix the broken IHSS payroll system. We win a state-level audit of the problems causing paycheck and timesheet delays, and pressure the state to implement optional electronic timesheets starting in 2017
