Trust Fund vs AdvancePay vs PIN Debit vs Debt Link: Which Account Should You Fund?
Ever stared at ViaPath's account options and wondered which one actually helps your loved one? You're not alone. Each account serves a different purpose—commissary, phone calls, or tablet services—so the right choice depends on what you're trying to pay for.
A Trust Fund deposit puts money directly into the incarcerated person’s commissary account. They control how it’s spent, and they can use it like cash for purchases at that facility’s commissary.
AdvancePay is a prepaid collect calling option that’s tied to one phone number you designate. You fund it so the incarcerated person can call that single number using the deposited balance.
PIN Debit (sometimes shown as
Debt Link is for tablet-related purchases - think ViaPath services like streaming music, games, and eBooks that are available at the facility. It’s not commissary money. Debt Link uses “link units” priced at $0.01 each ($1 = 100 link units), and purchases are final and nonrefundable.
Fund the Trust Fund when your goal is straightforward: you want your loved one to buy items from commissary. The deposit goes straight into their commissary account, and they decide what to spend it on.
Note: Trust Fund deposit fees vary by correctional facility. You can see the fees for your loved one’s facility when you sign into your ConnectNetwork account.
Choose AdvancePay when you want to cover phone calls to one specific number - usually your cell phone - without putting money into commissary or tablet services. It's prepaid collect calling: the incarcerated person can only call the phone number you designate, using the funds you deposit.
Note: AdvancePay rates and fees are set by each correctional facility and are published in your ConnectNetwork account.
Want the incarcerated person to manage their own calling? PIN Debit is built for that. It lets them pay for their own phone calls and dial any numbers their facility approves. They may also be able to fund this account using money from their commissary/trust account.
Costs vary by facility, but PIN Debit calls are generally cheaper than other incarcerated-individual call types. The account can be funded a couple ways: the incarcerated person may be able to purchase debit minutes from commissary, or friends and family can buy minutes through an Offender Phone account on ConnectNetwork.
Tip: If PIN Debit is available at your loved one's facility, it's often the cheapest way to handle calls - while still letting them control when and who they call (within facility rules).
Use Debt Link when you're paying for tablet entertainment and digital content - not snacks or hygiene items. These funds cover ViaPath tablet services like streaming music, games, and eBooks available at the facility. They can't be used for commissary purchases.
Debt Link runs on
Important: All Debt Link purchases are final. There are no refunds.
- Pick PIN Debit for regular calling - It lets the incarcerated person pay for their own calls to approved numbers, and it’s generally less expensive than other incarcerated-individual call types (rates still vary by facility).
- Decide how you’ll fund it - They may be able to fund the PIN Debit phone account from their commissary/trust account, or they can purchase debit minutes from commissary.
- Add minutes from the outside if you want - Friends and family can also buy minutes for an inmate’s PIN Debit by creating an Offender Phone account in ConnectNetwork.
If your main goal is simply receiving their calls, AdvancePay is usually the cleanest fit. It's prepaid collect calling tied to one phone number you designate. Rates and fees depend on the facility - you'll see them listed in ConnectNetwork.
Trying to help with everyday needs - things they can buy inside? Put money into the Trust Fund. Deposits go directly into their commissary account. Check the fee in ConnectNetwork before you deposit, since Trust Fund fees vary by facility.
If they're asking for music, games, or eBooks on their ViaPath tablet, fund Debt Link. It covers tablet services (not commissary) and is priced in link units at $0.01 each - so $1 buys 100 units. All Debt Link purchases are final and nonrefundable, so fund an amount you're comfortable with.
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