How to Send Money to Someone at East Texas Treatment Facility (Who’s Allowed and Spending Limits)
Sending money to someone at East Texas Treatment Facility isn't complicated, but a few rules can catch families off guard. Here's what you need to know about who can deposit funds, eCommDirect spending limits, and what the Trust Fund office will and won't share with you.
Since September 1, 2020, only people on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List can deposit money. Not on either list? Your deposit won't go through. This is a security measure to reduce fraud and limit deposits to known, approved contacts.
eCommDirect spending limits reset each quarter. For January–March, April–June, and July–September, the cap is $70. October–December bumps up to $95 for the holiday window. If you want to stretch support across the year, save bigger purchases for that Oct–Dec quarter and stick to essentials earlier so you don't hit the cap too soon.
- ✓ Confirm which quarter you’re currently in before placing an eCommDirect order
- ✓ Keep track of what’s already been purchased that quarter so you don’t accidentally exceed the cap
- ✓ Plan ahead for the October–December quarter if you want to use the higher $95 holiday allowance
- ✓ If you’re close to the limit, prioritize the most needed items first so money isn’t tied up in an order that can’t be completed
Once you place an eCommDirect order, expect delivery within five business days after TDCJ receives the transaction details. That said, there's no guaranteed delivery date. Unit security needs and staffing issues can slow things down even when your order went through without a hitch.
Note: Even if your order is submitted correctly, unit security or staffing issues can override the usual five-business-day delivery timeframe.
The Inmate Trust Fund holds an inmate's money while they're incarcerated. Your loved one can use those funds, but they don't have direct access to the account. Want to confirm whether money arrived? Trust Fund staff can tell you if a deposit was received. They won't discuss the inmate's balance or account activity with anyone but the inmate.
Privacy rule: Trust Fund staff can confirm receipt of a deposit, but account balance and transaction details are only available to the inmate.
Find an Inmate at East Texas Treatment Facility
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
