How to Send Money to Someone in LCIW: Methods, Fees, and Safety Tips

Louisiana DOC approves several ways for family and friends to send funds to someone at LCIW: mail, MoneyGram at walk-up locations, online deposits through Internet services (including JPay's mobile app and website), telephone deposits, and kiosks. The right choice usually comes down to how fast you need the funds to arrive and what fees you're okay with. Mail is still an option, and it's often the simplest if you're not in a rush. Online, phone, MoneyGram, and kiosk deposits move faster, but they can come with transaction fees depending on the service. If you're deciding between methods, ask yourself two questions: "Do I need this to arrive quickly?" and "Am I comfortable using a third-party service?"

MoneyGram deposits for LCIW are sent electronically, so they tend to move faster than mailing a money order. That said, plan for processing time. Louisiana DOC notes a two-day turnaround before funds hit the imprisoned person's account, so this isn't a same-day option. If you're trying to cover an immediate need like commissary shopping, that two-day window matters. Send early when you can, and hold onto your receipt so you can track what you sent if there's a delay.

MoneyGram also has a per-send cap. Louisiana DOC lists the maximum amount that can be sent via MoneyGram to someone at LCIW as $4,999.99. Anything larger needs to be split into separate sends, and higher totals may still be reviewed.

Another Louisiana DOC-approved option for LCIW is depositing funds through Internet services, including JPay's mobile app and website. JPay also handles electronic communication. Their email-style messages are typically faster than regular mail, and you can attach appropriate photographs. If you already use JPay to stay in touch, using the same platform for deposits feels natural. Just know that sending money and sending messages are separate actions, even though they happen in the same system.

• ✓ Example online fee (JPay): $0.00 to $20.00 deposit amount has a $3.50 fee.
• ✓ Fees can change, so confirm the current fee table before you submit your payment.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Keep your receipt or confirmation number for every deposit, especially if you need to dispute a fee or track a missing payment.
• ✓ Double-check the incarcerated person’s information (full name and ID number) before you hit submit or hand over funds.
• ✓ Build in processing time. MoneyGram deposits have a two-day turnaround before funds are placed into the account.
• ✓ If you are sending $500 or more, expect extra review time. MoneyGram deposits at that level are subject to investigation.
• ✓ If you are using online deposits, remember there are transaction fees (for example, $0.00 to $20.00 has a $3.50 fee).

When something goes wrong, start with the method you used. If you deposited online (including JPay's mobile app and website) or used a MoneyGram walk-up location, contact that provider's customer service first. Have your receipt information ready. They can usually tell you whether the payment was accepted, pending, or rejected. If a deposit is delayed, ask whether it's still within normal processing time for that method. Keep in mind that certain deposits get reviewed, so a delay doesn't always mean the payment "didn't go through."