Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Sending Money

How to Send Money to an Inmate's Trust Fund: All Your Deposit Options Explained

Sending money to a TDCJ inmate is pretty straightforward once you know your options. Here are the main deposit channels, what they cost, and the rules that can slow things down.

• 4 min read Verified from official sources

TDCJ accepts several deposit methods, so you can pick whichever works best for your situation. For online deposits, eCommDirect (through Texas.gov) is one approved option. TDCJ also lists several third-party services: Access Corrections (Secure Deposits), ACE (America's Cash Express), JPay, and TouchPay. Prefer a bank-based route? TDCJ supports Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH) deposits and provides authorization and stop/change forms. For paper deposits, money orders and cashier's checks are accepted.

  • ✓ eCommDirect (Texas.gov)
  • ✓ Vendor deposit services: Access Corrections (Secure Deposits), ACE (America’s Cash Express), JPay, TouchPay
  • ✓ Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH)
  • ✓ Money orders
  • ✓ Cashier’s checks

Warning: Cash and personal checks are not accepted for TDCJ trust fund deposits. They will be returned to the sender.

Before you send anything, confirm you're an approved sender. Effective September 1, 2020, TDCJ only accepts deposits from people on the inmate's approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List. If you're not on one of those lists yet, you'll need to go through the approval process first. Otherwise, your deposit may not go through.

Tip: If your deposit keeps getting blocked, check whether you're on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List. That's the most common issue.

Online deposits through eCommDirect aren't instant. TDCJ transfers eCommDirect deposits to the inmate's trust fund on the second business day after you submit them.

Fees matter when choosing an online option. With eCommDirect, a purchase costs $3.75. A deposit runs $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit amount. If you make a deposit and a purchase in the same session, the combined fee is $3.75 plus 2.25% of the deposit.

  • ✓ eCommDirect deposit timing: Transfers to the inmate trust fund on the second business day after the day of deposit.
  • ✓ eCommDirect fees: Deposit is $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit. Purchase is $3.75. Deposit plus purchase together is $3.75 plus 2.25% of the deposit.
  • ✓ Other TDCJ-listed vendor services (Access Corrections, ACE, JPay, TouchPay): Available deposit channels, but fees and posting times depend on the provider.
  • ✓ ACH (Monthly Checking Account Debit): Available deposit channel using TDCJ’s authorization and stop/change forms.

Even after a deposit is accepted, some funds won't be available right away. TDCJ places a 14-day hold on any single transaction of $500.00 or more. The same 14-day hold applies to insurance checks, company checks, payroll checks, estate checks, and similar disbursements. If you're trying to help with something time-sensitive, plan around that hold so your loved one isn't stuck waiting.

Heads up: Deposits of $500+ and certain third-party checks (insurance, company, payroll, estate, and similar disbursements) are held 14 days before inmate access is authorized.

  1. Choose an accepted deposit type: Use an approved online/vendor option, ACH, or send a money order or cashier’s check. Do not send cash or personal checks, they are not accepted and will be returned.
  2. Plan for eCommDirect timing: If you deposit online through eCommDirect, the deposit transfers to the inmate’s trust fund on the second business day after the day you submit it.
  3. Budget for eCommDirect fees: Expect a $2.50 plus 2.25% fee for a deposit, a $3.75 fee for a purchase, or $3.75 plus 2.25% of the deposit if you do both together.
  4. Avoid surprise holds on larger or special deposits: Single transaction deposits of $500.00 or more, plus insurance/company/payroll/estate checks and similar disbursements, are held 14 days before the inmate can access the funds.
  5. Follow up the right way: Trust Fund staff can confirm whether a deposit was received, but they will not share account activity or the account balance with anyone except the inmate.

Reminder: Trust Fund staff can confirm that a deposit was received, but they cannot share account activity or balance information with anyone except the inmate.

Find an Inmate at Jim Rudd Unit

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from Jim Rudd Unit

Before You Drive to the Unit: Your Pre-Visit Checklist

A little preparation can save you a wasted trip. Use this checklist to confirm visitation is actually available, then show up with the right ID and nothing that will get you turned away.

Phone & Messaging

How to Contact an Inmate at Jim Rudd Unit

Want to get phone calls from someone at the Jim Rudd Unit (TDCJ)? You'll need to handle a few things first, including registration and making sure your phone number is the right type to receive calls.

How to Register Your Phone to Receive Calls from an Inmate at Jim Rudd Unit

To receive calls from someone at the Jim Rudd Unit, you'll need two things: the inmate's TDCJ ID number and a phone number you can register as yours. During enrollment, you'll confirm you own the number - so use one that's actually listed in your name.