Has anyone used Western-Union via the internet to transfer money directly into an inmates account? I need to get some money in there now. His money from the county jail has not come through yet and may take a couple more weeks before it ever gets posted to his account. He needs the essential things like toothpaste razor soap. They had no instructions at the unit when I went to visit today, but it can be done. Does anyone know how.
Thank you in advance.
Willow

Willow, this is a very important issue. I have gotten the forms from the TIFA files section from yahoo groups. It gives you the instructions. http://******************/group/tifatalk

If you have never done a "quick collect" then it will seem confusing. You can do it from the web, phone or in person at any western union location. The web is really convenient. It is expensive, unfortunately.

For Western Union Quick Collect Online, go to www.westernunion.com. (http://www.westernunion.com./)
For each Quick Collect transaction, the following information must be provided:

PAY TO: TDCJ-Inmate Trust Fund
CODE CITY AND STATE: TDCJ / TX
ACCOUNT NUMBER WITH FACILITY: Inmate TDCJ Number & Inmate's last name.
ATTENTION: Inmate last name and inmate first name.
TRANSACTION FEE AND DEPOSIT AMOUNT

I suggest you get the form from the TIFA site or call Western Union. It is a very quick and easy process, but you really MUST have all the right information or it won't be processed. I copied all the above information directly from the form provided at the TIFA files site.

I hope this helps. If you would like me to send you the form directly, please let me know and I'll send it as an attachment to you.

Jim

Does anyone know if this option is available in all states???? I have heard that we can use it in FLA too, but want to make sure before I try it.

JB (James) Thank you again. You've come to my rescue again. Opted for the phone. All done. It should be in his account tomorrow. I will call and find out and verify. Thanks again. Now I just hope he gets to go to the commisary and buy what he needs. Stamps and envelopes. Letters for me.
Maybe he can feel like a human again. You are a sweetheart thank you
Willow

Willow,

TDCJ has also set up a way that you can have a certain amount automatically deducted from your checking account on the 5th or the 15th of the month. As you found out you can also do Western Union Quick Collect but this is rather expensive to do on a regular basis. The checking account option is free as is the old standby of filling out the trust fund deposit slip and sending a money order to the trust fund. Actually if you are in no hurry to send future money to his account this is probably the best way. I send money regularly to some relatives I have in the system and I can't recall a time it took more than 5 or 6 working days to post to their accounts. I've included a link below to download from one of my websites the information and forms needed. It's a direct download of a Microsoft Word Doc File, just choose save it to your system or you can open it for viewing.

http://freedomoutreach.networkwaco.com/forms/TDCJ-EFT.doc

I am currently in process of setting up the regular withdrawal from my checking account for my cousin. I'll post on here after it's done to let everyone know if it works well.

Good Luck,


Ralph

Ralph thats i great idea please post i am interested in bank draft that would be very convenient....wonderful.

they do like a direct payment .. you send them a voided check and tell them when to do it.. The inmates can send you the form for it. it is really cool.. Plus you do not have the 9.95 charge everytime.. :) my husband sent me one...

Both methods are available and there is NO question the direct payment method is best for routine payments to the account. Of course, this situation with Willow was kind of an emergency.

I apologize to all the members for not clarifying and making mention of both forms of electronic payment methods. I do thank Ralph for bringing up that other option.

The Yahoo Groups forum for TIFA also has these instructions, files and other files as well, including a commissary list and such available in the FILES section. TIFA is Texas Inmates Families Association and is a support network for those dealing with the Texas Penal System.

http://******************/group/tifatalk
http://www.tifa.org

Best wishes.

Jim

Ralph,

I am very interested in the direct draft from my account each month...

Please do let us know how it goes!

Mstryzone@aol.com