Sending Money to Someone at East Texas Treatment Facility: All Your Deposit Options

East Texas Treatment Facility follows TDCJ's approved deposit methods for trust fund accounts. Your options include money orders or cashier's checks, Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH) through the ACH Authorization form, or approved secure-deposit vendors like eCommDirect (through Texas.gov), JPay, Access Corrections (Secure Deposits), and ACE (America's Cash Express). Not sure which method works best for you? The sections below cover the key rules, timing, and fees - especially for eCommDirect.

Here's a rule that catches families off guard: deposits of $500.00 or more trigger a 14-day hold. The same hold applies to insurance checks, payroll checks, estate disbursements, and similar payments. The money may show as received, but your loved one can't actually use it for two weeks.

• ✓ Send large deposits well before the date your loved one will need the money, since $500+ single transactions can trigger a 14-day hold.
• ✓ If it makes sense for your situation, consider breaking up a larger amount into smaller deposits to avoid the single-transaction $500+ hold.
• ✓ If you’re sending anything that might be treated like an insurance/company/payroll/estate check, plan for the hold and confirm processing expectations with the provider you’re using.

eCommDirect is the only approved package program for TDCJ inmates. If you want to send commissary items through an online order, this is your option. Orders typically arrive within five business days after TDCJ receives the transaction details from Texas.gov. That said, unit security or staffing issues can cause delays - so build in extra time if you're ordering for a specific occasion.

Fees break down differently for purchases versus deposits. Each eCommDirect commissary purchase costs $3.75. Deposits cost $2.50 plus 2.25% of the amount. If you're sending money regularly, those fees add up - worth doing the math before you hit submit.

1. Confirm you’re an approved sender - you must be on the inmate’s Approved Visitation List or Approved Phone List to deposit money.
2. Pick your deposit route - use a money order/cashier’s check, set up Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH) with the ACH Authorization form, or use an approved secure-deposit vendor (such as eCommDirect/Texas.gov, JPay, Access Corrections, or ACE).
3. Plan around the 14-day hold - single deposits of $500.00 or more (and certain insurance/company/payroll/estate checks) are held 14 days before the inmate can access the funds.
4. Build in processing and delivery time - for eCommDirect merchandise purchases, delivery is generally within five business days after TDCJ receives the transaction details, but unit security or staffing can slow that down.
5. Check fees and limits before you send - eCommDirect charges $3.75 per purchase transaction, and deposit transactions cost $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit amount; quarterly purchase limits also apply.

These deposit options and restrictions come from TDCJ's trust fund rules and apply to East Texas Treatment Facility. If you're unsure whether you're approved to send money or whether a deposit might trigger the 14-day hold, confirm first - especially when timing matters.