Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Sending Money

Sending Money & Buying Commissary for a TDCJ Inmate: Who’s Allowed, Payment Methods, quarterly limits, and fees

Sending money or ordering commissary for someone in TDCJ is straightforward once you know the rules. Here's what you need to know about who can send funds, which payment types get rejected, how eCommDirect quarterly limits work, and the fees to expect.

• 2 min read Verified from official sources

Since September 1, 2020, TDCJ limits who can deposit money into an inmate's trust fund. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list or their Inmate Telephone List. If you're not on either list, your deposit won't be accepted. Confirm your status before sending anything.

Don't mail cash or personal checks to the TDCJ Inmate Trust Fund. Both get returned to the sender, which means delays and extra hassle when you're trying to help someone quickly. Stick to approved methods only.

TDCJ's eCommDirect program caps spending by calendar quarter. For January through March, April through June, and July through September, the limit is $70.00 per inmate. October through December bumps up to $95.00 per inmate. TDCJ labels that last quarter "Holiday Spend."

Timing matters if someone just arrived at TDCJ. Newly received inmates aren't eligible for eCommDirect purchases until the next calendar quarter begins, even if you're ready to order right away. Once the new quarter starts, eligibility and the spending limit both reset.

Transaction fees add up fast if you make multiple small payments, so plan accordingly. Each eCommDirect commissary purchase carries a $3.75 fee. For deposits to an inmate account, the fee is $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit amount.

Combo fee: If you make a deposit and an eCommDirect purchase at the same time, the combined fee is $3.75 plus 2.25% of the deposit.

After you place an eCommDirect order, delivery typically takes about five business days from when TDCJ receives the purchase transaction details. Unit security or staffing issues can push that timeline back, so don't panic if it runs a bit longer than expected.

Practical Checklist

  • ✓ Confirm you are on the inmate’s approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List before you try to deposit money.
  • ✓ Do not send cash or personal checks to the TDCJ Inmate Trust Fund, they are not accepted and will be returned.
  • ✓ Track the eCommDirect quarterly limits: Jan–Mar $70, Apr–Jun $70, Jul–Sep $70, Oct–Dec $95 (Holiday Spend).
  • ✓ If the person is newly received, plan on waiting until the next calendar quarter to send eCommDirect purchases.
  • ✓ Budget for fees: $3.75 per eCommDirect purchase transaction.
  • ✓ Budget for deposit fees: $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit amount.

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