How to Send Money to Someone at Allen Oakwood: Options, Timing, and Practical Steps

You can't hand money to someone during a visit at Allen Oakwood, and you can't bring cash in

ConnectNetwork's ODRC payment options work well for most families. One major perk: you can make cash deposits at over 26,000 retail locations nationwide - Walmart, Kmart, Kroger, and others - which helps if you'd rather not use a card online. Prefer paying by card? ConnectNetwork's website and mobile apps accept Visa and MasterCard, and transactions are available 24/7. Handy when you need to add funds outside normal business hours.

• ✓ Have the incarcerated person’s information ready (especially their ID number)
• ✓ Choose a participating retail location that offers ConnectNetwork walk-in cash deposits (for example, Walmart, Kmart, or Kroger)
• ✓ Follow the ConnectNetwork walk-in retail instructions and pay cash at the register
• ✓ Keep your receipt after the transaction

Beyond retail cash deposits, ConnectNetwork offers automated options - online, mobile apps, phone, and self-service kiosks. Pick whatever fits your situation. Need speed? Automated channels also tend to have the fastest availability for certain account types.

How quickly funds become available depends on the account type. Deposits made through automated channels (online, mobile apps, phone, kiosks) for AdvancePay, PinDebit, and DebitLink are available immediately. Trust Fund works differently. Automated deposits for Trust Fund accounts are transmitted to the facility within one business day - so the money won't appear the instant you hit submit. If timing matters, build that extra day into your plan.

Certain payments - like tablet repairs through ViaPath - go by mail. Send your payment and the required deposit form to: ViaPath Technologies, PO Box 3023, Houston, TX 77253. Follow the form directions exactly. Payments that don't match the instructions can get rejected.

1. Confirm the incarcerated person’s details - Make sure you have the correct name and ID number before you start the deposit.
2. Use an approved channel (not the visiting room) - You can’t deliver money directly to an incarcerated person, so plan to deposit through an approved method instead.
3. Go to a participating retail store - ConnectNetwork cash deposits can be made at many locations nationwide, including Walmart, Kmart, and Kroger.
4. Follow the walk-in retail instructions at the register - Pay by cash using the ConnectNetwork process for ODRC accounts.
5. Get and save your receipt - Hold onto it in case you need to track or confirm the deposit later.

Before sending money, double-check that you've selected the right incarcerated person profile and entered the correct ID number. Small errors can route funds to the wrong account or delay the deposit. After you pay, save your confirmation - whether that's a retail receipt or a screenshot of the confirmation screen. Plan around timing too. AdvancePay, PinDebit, and DebitLink deposits through automated channels are available immediately. Trust Fund deposits take up to one business day to reach the facility. If you're trying to cover commissary by a certain date, that window matters.